Jain Philosophy
Chapter 02 – Tirthankars (Jain Philosophy)
Chapter 02 – Tirthankars
Time rolls along in eternal cycles of rise and decline. Utsarpini is a “rising” era in, which human morale and natural conditions improve over time. At the end of Utsarpini, begins Avasarpini, a “declining” era of the same length, in, which human morale and virtues deteriorate. Each era consists of six sub divisions called Äräs. During the 3rd and 4th Äräs of every rising and declining era of each cycle, twenty-four souls become Tirthankars in our region known as Bharat Kshetra. They are the humans like us who rise to that level. They had gradually purified their soul in prior lives after achieving Samyag Darshan and had acquired a special karma called Tirthankar Näm Karma. The Tirthankar Näm Karma is acquired by performing one or more of the 20 specific austerities.
Tirthankar Näm Karma matures in the final life and leads the person to become a Tirthankar after taking Dikshä and observing austerities to destroy all Ghäti (destructive) karmas. After attaining omniscience (Kevaljnän), Tirthankar organizes the Jain religion to suit the changing times. They reinstate the fourfold order of Sädhus (monks), Sädhvis (nuns), Shrävaks (male householders), and Shrävikäs (female householders) of Jain religion.
Tirthankars are also called Arihantas, Jinas, Kevalis, and Vitarägi. Arihanta means “destroyer of inner enemies,” Jin means “victor of inner enemies,” and Vitarägi means “one who does not have attachment or hatred towards anyone or anything.” This means that they are totally detached from worldly aspects. They have destroyed four Ghäti Karmas, namely:
- Jnänävaraniya (knowledge obscuring) Karma
- Darshanävaraniya (perception obscuring) Karma
- Mohaniya (deluding) Karma
- Antaräya (obstructing) Karma
Kalyänak (Auspicious Events)
Jains celebrate five major events from the life of a Tirthankar. They are called Kalyänak (auspicious events). They are:
Chyavana or Garbha Kalyänak – (Conception Event)
This is the event when a Tirthankar’s soul leaves its previous body, and is conceived in the mother’s womb.
Janma Kalyänak – (Birth Event)
This is the event when the Tirthankar is born.
Dikshä or Tapa Kalyänak – (Initiation Event)
This is the event when the Tirthankar gives up all his/her worldly possessions and becomes a monk/nun.
Kevaljnän Kalyänak – (Omniscience Event)
This is the event when a Tirthankar completely destroys four Ghäti Karmas and attains the Kevaljnän (absolute knowledge). Celestial angels create a Samavasaran for
Tirthankars from where he/she delivers the first sermon. This is the most important event for the entire Jain order as the Tirthankar re-establishes Jain Sangha and preaches the Jain path of purification and liberation.
Nirvän Kalyänak – (Nirvana Event)
This event is when a Tirthankar’s soul is liberated from this worldly physical existence forever and becomes a Siddha. On this day, the Tirthankar’s soul destroys the remaining four Aghäti Karmas completely, and attains salvation, the state of eternal bliss.
Digambar tradition indicates that women cannot become Tirthankar or be liberated because they need to cover their body with cloths after the renunciation (after becoming nuns). Hence they cannot follow the fifth Mahävrata (Non-possession) fully. For liberation, it is essential that all five Mahävrata be followed fully. Swetambar tradition interprets the fifth Mahävrata as Non-possessiveness indicating that monks and nuns may need to wear the minimum cloths needed to properly function their daily activities in the society (e.g. Gochari – Going to laypeople home for food). However they should not have any attachments to their cloths.
Number of Tirthankars :
It was stated earlier that Tirthankars are born only in 3rd and 4th Äräs in our region called Bharat Kshetra of Jambu Dweep. Since we are in the 5th Ärä now, no Tirthankar exist in our region. In the 3rd and 4th Äräs of current Avasarpini cycle, the twenty-four Tirthankars were borne in our region. Generally, we state that there are twenty-four Tirthankars, we specifically mean that there were twenty-four Tirthankars in the 3rd and 4th Arä of the current Avasarpini time cycle.
According to Jainism, there are 15 regions in the universe whrer the possibility of Tirthankars exist. Out of these, 10 regions (5 Bharat and 5 Airävat) are such that the human behavior and natural conditions continuously changes and Tirthankars appear only during 3rd and 4th Äräs.
The other five regions (5 Mahä-Videha) are such that the conditions are always conducive to have Tirthankar. At present, there exist four Tirthankars in each Mahä-Videha Kshetra (regions). Thus, there are a total of 20 Tirthankars preaching Jainism in Mahä-Videha regions at present time. Shri Simandhar Swami is one of the 20 Tirthankars. In many Jain temples, an idol of Shri Simandhar Swami is installed which represents and reminds us that at present there are living Tirthankars preaching Jainism in the other part of the universe. This is also important since a soul can transmigrate to and take a human birth in one of the Mahä-Videha regions now and progress to reach liberation even though it is not possible to attain liberation in the present time in our region (Bharat Kshetra).
Past and Future Tirthankars :
There were also twenty-four Tirthankars (Chovisi) in our region in the past Utsarpini half cycle of time. There will also be twenty-four Tirthankars in the next Utsarpini half cycle. The names of both are found in our scriptures. There have been infinite such chovisis in our Bharat Kshetra as well as Airavat Kshetra. Therefore when we state that there are twenty-four Tirthankars, we must remember that our statement applies only to our current Avasarpini cycle. In reality, there have been infinite number of Tirthankars existed in the past in our region and hence
infinite Siddhas.
Tirthankar Stutis :
There exist many Stutis praising the qualities of Tirthankars in Jain literature. Following is the list of some popular Stutis.
• Logassa Ujjoyagare (Chaturvishati Stav) Sutra – This sutra is recited in praise of the twenty-four Tirthankars. It consists of names of each Tirthankar and their qualities.
• Namutthunam (Shakra Stav) Sutra – This sutra is sung by Indra the king of Celestial
Beings in the praise of Arihantas (present and past). In this stuti, only their virtues are stated without any specific names.
• Bhaktämar Stotra – This is most popular Stotra and is accepted by both Digambar and
Shvetämbar Jain sects. This was composed by Ächärya Manatung-suri in praise of
Tirthankar Rishabhadev.
• Anandghana Chovisi – Jain monk Shri Anandghanji who was a great poet has composed
24 Stutis (one stuti for each Tirthankar) in praise of twenty-four Tirthankars.
Role of Celestial Beings :
There are other significant events also in the life of a Tirthankar. After Tirthankar’s soul is conceived, the mother has fourteen dreams as per Shvetämbar tradition (Digambar texts mention two additional dreams making the total to sixteen). A Tirthankar’s soul, while even in mother’s womb, possesses three types of knowledge, namely Mati Jnän (sensory knowledge), Shruta Jnän (scriptural knowledge), and Avadhi Jnän (clairvoyance). Celestial beings (Indras and other heavenly beings) are devoted to Tirthankars and take part in ceremonies like birth and the bathing of newborn on Mount Meru.
One year before the time of renunciation, a group of celestial angles come to pay homage to the future Tirthankar. They remind him/her to renounce the world and re-establish religious order for the benefit of all living beings. When a Tirthankar renounces the worldly life, he attains Manah-Paryäya Jnän (telepathy), the fourth type of the knowledge, which enables the Tirthankar to read the minds of other living beings. Celestial beings also participate in the celebrations of other Kalyänaks and for setting up 8 Pratihärya during sermons given by Tirthankar.
Conclusion
There are five very auspicious events in the life of a Tirthankar. They are conception, birth, renunciation (initiation into monkhood), attaining omniscience, and nirvana. A Tirthankar has acquired the Tirthankar-Näm Karma in the second previous life by having an intense desire to alleviate the suffering of all living beings. The fruits of that karma resulted in the soul being born as a Tirthankar Bhagawän. We celebrate these five major events of the Tirthankar’s life in the form of Pancha- Kalyänak Pujäs. The nirvana places of Tirthankars are pilgrimage places. Tirthankars are supreme human beings and our faultless human models in whom we take spiritual refuge.
Emblems and Place of Nirvän of 24 Tirthankars :
Tirthankar Name
Emblem
Number of Ganadhars*
01 Rishabha or Adi Nath
Bull
84
02 Ajit-Nath
Elephant
90
03 Sambhava-Nath
Horse
105
04 Abhinandan Swami
Monkey
103
05 Sumati-Nath
Ruddy Goose
116
06 Padma-Prabha
Red Lotus
111
07 Suparshva-Nath
Swastika
95
08 Chandra-Prabha
Crescent Moon
93
09 Pushpadanta or Suvidhi-Nath
Crocodile
88
10 Shital-Nath
Shrivatsa or wishing tree
81
11 Shreyans-Nath
Rhinoceros
77
12 Vasupujya Swami
Buffalo
66
13 Vimal-Nath
Boar
55
14 Anant-Nath
Bear or hawk
50
15 Dharma-Nath
Thunderbolt
43
16 Shanti-Nath
Deer
36
17 Kunthu-Nath
Male Goat
35
18 Ara Nath
Nandavarta or Fish
30
19 Malli-Nath
Water Pot
28
20 Muni Suvrata Swami
Tortoise
18
21 Nami Nath
Blue Lotus
17
22 Nemi-Nath
Conch
11
23 Parshva Nath
Serpent
10
24 Mahavir Swami or Vardhaman
Lion
11
Mahävir Swami attained nirvana at Päväpuri, Nemi-Näth attained nirvana at Girnar, Väsupujya attained nirvana at Champäpuri,
Rushabhdev attained nirvana at Mount Ashtäpad (Kailäsha).
Other Twenty Tirthankars attained nirvana at mount Samet Shikhar.
*Ganadhars are the chief disciples of the Tirthankars.
Birth Place and Parents Name of 24 Tirthankars :
Tirthankar Name
Father
Mother
01 Rishabha or Adi Nath
King Nabhi
Maru-Devi
02 Ajit-Nath
Jita Shatru
Vijay
03 Sambhava-Nath
Nath Jitari
Sena
04 Abhinandan Swami
Samvar
Siddhartha
05 Sumati-Nath
Megharath
Sumangala
06 Padma Prabha
Dharana (Sridhara)
Susima
07 Suparshva-Nath
Supratishta
Prithvi
08 Chandra Prabha
Mahasen
Lakshman
09 Pushpadanta or Suvidhi-Nath Nath
Sugriva
Rama (Supriya)
10 Shital-Nath
Draidharatha
Sunanda
11 Shreyans-Nath
Vishnu
Vishnudevi (Vishna)
12 Vasupujya Swami
King Vasu
Vijaya (Jaya)
13 Vimal Nath
Kritvarma
Suramya (Shyama)
14 Anant Nath
Simhasen
Suyasha
15 Dharma Nath
King Bhanu
Suvrata
16 Shanti-Nath
Vishvasen
Achira
17 Kunthu-Nath
Surya (Surasen)
Shree-Devi
18 Ara-Nath
Sudarshan
Mitra (Devi)
19 Malli Nath
Kumbha
Rakshita (Prabha)
20 Muni Suvrata Swami
Sumitra
Padmavati
21 Nami Nath
Vijay
Vapra (Vipra)
22 Nemi Nath
Samudravijay
Shivadevi
23 Parshva Nath
Ashvasen
Vama
24 Mahavir Swami or Vardhaman
Siddhartha
Trishala
Place of Nirvan and Birth Place of 24 Tirthankars :
Tirthankar Name
Place of Nirvan
Birth Place
01 Rishabha or Adi Nath
Ashtapad (Kailasha)
Ayodhya
02 Ajit-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Ayodhya (Vinita)
03 Sambhava-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Shravasti
04 Abhinandan Swami
Samet Sikhar
Ayodhya (Vinita)
05 Sumati-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Ayodhya
06 Padma Prabha
Samet Sikhar
Kaushambi
07 Suparshva-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Varanasi (Banaras)
08 Chandra Prabha
Samet Sikhar
Chandrapuri
09 Pushpadanta or Suvidhi Nath Nath
Samet Sikhar
Kakandi
10 Shital-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Bhadrikapuri
11 Shreyans-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Simhapuri
12 Vasupujya Swami
Champapuri
Champapuri
13 Vimal Nath
Samet Sikhar
Kampilya
14 Anant Nath
Samet Sikhar
Ayodhya
15 Dharma Nath
Samet Sikhar
Ratnapuri
16 Shanti-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Hastinapur
17 Kunthu-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Hastinapur
18 Ara-Nath
Samet Sikhar
Hastinapur
19 Malli Nath
Samet Sikhar
Mithila
20 Muni Suvrata Swami
Samet Sikhar
Kusagranagar (Rajgruhi)
21 Nami Nath
Samet Sikhar
Mithila (Mathura)
22 Nemi Nath
Mount Girnar
Sauripura (Dvaraka)
23 Parshva Nath
Samet Sikhar
Kashi (Banaras)
24 Mahavir Swami or Vardhaman
Pava Puri
Kshatriyakund