In Jainism

Jainism

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

, a ( "ford

Ford (crossing)

A ford is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading or in a vehicle. A ford is mostly a natural phenomenon, in contrast to a low water crossing, which is an artificial bridge that allows crossing a river or stream when water is low.The names of many towns...

-Maker", ) is a human

Human

Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...

 being who achieves moksa

Moksa (Jainism)

' or Mokkha means liberation, salvation or emancipation of soul. It is a blissful state of existence of a soul, completely free from the karmic bondage, free from samsara, the cycle of birth and death. A liberated soul is said to have attained its true and pristine nature of infinite bliss,...

 ("liberation, enlightenment") through asceticism

Asceticism

Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals...

 and who then becomes a role-model and teacher for those seeking spiritual guidance.

According to Jain teachings, a being who obtains Kevala Jnana

Kevala Jnana

In Jainism, ' or ' , "Perfect or Absolute Knowledge", is the highest form of knowledge that a soul can attain. A person who has attained is called a Kevalin, which is synonymous with Jina "victor" and Arihant "the worthy one"...

 - a kevalin - is sure to attain moksa. One who attains moksa is referred to as a siddha

Siddha

A Siddha सिद्ध in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who, according to Hindu belief, have transcended the ahamkara , have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies into a different kind of body dominated by...

, but only a siddha who establishes or revitalises Jainism - one who establishes a "ford" or tīrtha

Tirtha

In Jainism, a tīrtha |ford]], a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed") is used to refer both to pilgrimage sites as well as to the four sections of the sangha...

across the river of human misery - is called a tīrthaṅkara.

Overview

The Tīrthaṅkaras' religious

Religion

Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...

 teachings form the Jain canon

Canon law

Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...

s. The inner knowledge of all Tīrthaṅkaras is perfect and identical in every respect, for the teachings of one Tīrthaṅkara do not contradict those of another. However, the degree of elaboration varies according to the spiritual advancement and purity of humans during that period. The higher the spiritual advancement and purity of mind, the lower the elaboration required.

At the end of his human life-span, a Tīrthaṅkara achieves moksa or nirvana

Nirvana (Jainism)

' in Jainism means final release from the karmic bondage. When an enlightened human, such as an Arihant or a Tirthankara extinguishes his remaining aghatiya karmas and thus ends his worldly existence, it is called . Technically, the death of an Arihant is called of the arihant, as he has ended...

, ending the cycle of infinite births and deaths.

Jainism posits that time has no beginning or end. It moves like the wheel of a cart. There have been an infinite number of time cycles before our present era and there will be an infinite number of time cycles after this age. As of 2011, we are exactly 2,538 years into the fifth era of the present half cycle.

Jains believe that exactly twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras are born in each half-cycle of time in this part of the universe. The first Tīrthaṅkara, Rishabha

Rishabha (Jain tirthankar)

In Jainism, R̥ṣabha or Ādinātha , also known as the "Lord of Kesariya") was the first of the 24 Tīrthaṅkaras. According to Jain beliefs, R̥ṣabha founded the Ikshvaku dynasty and was the first Tīrthaṅkara of the present age...

, who is credited for formulating and organising humans to live in a society harmoniously, attained liberation towards the end of the third era. The 24th and last Tīrthaṅkara was Mahavira

Mahavira

Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...

 (599-527 BC), whose existence is historically-accepted fact. Digambara

Digambara

Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...

 Jains believe that all twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras were men because women cannot achieve moksa, but Svetambara

Svetambara

The Śvētāmbara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being the Digambar. Śvētāmbara "white-clad" is a term describing its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara "sky-clad" Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked...

 Jains believe that the 19th Tīrthaṅkara, Mallinath

Mallinath

Mallinath was the nineteenth Tīrthaṅkara "Ford-Maker" of the present avasarpiṇī age in Jainism. According to Jain beliefs, Mallinath became a siddha - a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Śvētāmbara Jaina beliefs hold that Mallinath was female, making her the only woman to become...

, was a woman and that sex and gender are no impediment to moksa.

The next Tīrthaṅkara in our part of the universe will be born at the beginning of the third era of the next (ascending) half cycle of time, in approximately 81,500 years.

As Tīrthaṅkaras direct us to enlightenment, their statue

Statue

A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger...

s are worshipped in Jain temple

Temple

A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...

s by Jains aspiring to achieve enlightenment. Tīrthaṅkaras are not God or gods. Jainism does not believe in the existence of God in the sense of a creator; they are considered super-human beings but also lack full enlightenment.

Particular Tīrthaṅkaras

Depictions of the Tīrthaṅkaras in various forms, including images and statues, are always represented as seated with their legs crossed in front, the toes of one foot resting close upon the knee of the other, and the right hand lying over the left in the lap. Only two are represented differently: that of Parshva

Parshva

Pārśva or Paras was the twenty-third Tirthankara "Ford-Maker" in Jainism . He is the earliest Jain leader generally accepted as a historical figure. Pārśva was a nobleman belonging to the Kshatriya varna....

, the twenty-third, who has snake-hoods over him, and Suparshvanath

Suparshvanath

Suparshvanath was the seventh Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Suparshvnath was born to King Prathisth Raja and Queen Prithvidevi at Banaras in the Ikshvaku clan...

, the seventh, whom the Digambaras depict with a smaller group of snake-hoods.

Digambara representations are nude however those of the Svetambaras are decorated with crowns and ornaments. They are further distinguished from one another in representations by their attendant Yakshas and Yakshinis, as well as by their associated chihnas or Lanchans (cognizances) carved on the cushions of their thrones.

All but two of the Jains are ascribed to the Ikshvaku dynasty

Ikshvaku dynasty

The Ikshvaku dynasty, in Puranic literature, was a mythical dynasty founded by Ikshvaku, grandson of Vivasvan or Surya and son of Vaivasvata Manu. This dynasty is also known as . The important personalities belonging to this royal house are Harishchandra, Dilīpa, Sagara, Raghu, Rama and Prasenajit...

. Munisuvrata, the twentieth, and Neminatha, the twenty-second, were of the Harivamsa

Harivamsa

The Harivamsha is an important work of Sanskrit literature, containing 16,374 verses, mostly in metre. The text is also known as . This text is believed as a khila to the Mahabharata and is traditionally ascribed to Krishna Dvaipayana Veda Vyasa...

. Jain canons state that Rishabha, the first Tīrthaṅkara, founded the Ikshvaku.

All but Rishabha received diksha “consecration” and Kevala Jnana

Kevala Jnana

In Jainism, ' or ' , "Perfect or Absolute Knowledge", is the highest form of knowledge that a soul can attain. A person who has attained is called a Kevalin, which is synonymous with Jina "victor" and Arihant "the worthy one"...

 (complete enlightenment) at their native places. Rishabha became a ‘’Kevalin’’ at Purimatala, Nemi at Girnar, and Mahavira at the Rijuvaluka river. Twenty Tīrthaṅkaras achieved nirvana on Sammet Sikhar

Shikharji

Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī , also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Moksha ...

. Digamaras believe Rishabha did so on Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...

 while Svetambaras state he achieved nirvana on Mount Ashtapada. Vasupujya attained nirvana at Champapuri

Champapuri

Champapuri was the capital of the king Lomapada of Anga Kingdom as per epic Ramayana. As per epic Mahabharata, Karna is mentioned as ruling the Anga kingdom from Champapuri . Apart from Champa Karna also ruled a city called Malini gifeted to him by Jarasandha of Magadha Kingdom....

 in North Bengal

North Bengal

North Bengal is a term used for the northern parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal. The Bangladesh part denotes the Rajshahi Division. Generally it is the area lying west of Jamuna River and north of Padma River, and includes the Barind Tract. The West Bengal part denotes Cooch Behar, Darjeeling,...

; Neminatha on Mount Girnar in Gujarat; and Mahavira, the last, at Pawapuri

Pawapuri

Pawapuri or Pava is a holy site for Jains located in the Nalanda district in the Bihar state of Eastern India. It is located about 38 kilometers from Rajgir and 101 kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar.-History:...

, near modern Bihar

Bihar

Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....

's capital, Patna

Patna

Paṭnā , is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in Eastern India . Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world...

.

Twenty-one of the Tirthakaras are said to have attained Moksha in the kayotsarga

Kayotsarga

Kayotsarga is a yogic meditative posture that is also part of the Preksha meditation. Most of the Tirthankaras of Jainism are depicted in Kayotsarga posture. Kayotsarga means to give up one's physical comfort and body movements, thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and...

 “standing mediation” posture and Rishabha, Nemi and Mahavira in the padmasana “lotus throne” posture.

Narration Chart of 24 Tirathankars

For each Siddha the particulars are given below:

Tīrthaṅkara	Heaven before birth	Birthplace; Consecration	Parents	Complexion	Symbol	Height	Number of Years Lived	Tree	Attendant spirits	Male disciple; Female disciple	Place of Nirvan	Birth
1 Rishabha Rishabha (Jain tirthankar) In Jainism, R̥ṣabha or Ādinātha , also known as the "Lord of Kesariya") was the first of the 24 Tīrthaṅkaras. According to Jain beliefs, R̥ṣabha founded the Ikshvaku dynasty and was the first Tīrthaṅkara of the present age...	Sarvarthasiddha	Vinittanagari; Palitana	Nabhiraja by Marudevi	golden	bull or ox	1500m	592.704 Quintillion Years	Vata (banyan Banyan A banyan is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte when its seeds germinate in the cracks and crevices on a host tree... )	Gomukha and Chakresvari Chakreshvari In Jain cosmology, Chakreshvari or Apraticakra is the guardian goddess or Yakshini of Rishabha, the first Tirthankara. She is the tutelary deity of the Sarawagi Jain community.-Iconogrphy:...	Pundarika; Brahmi	Ashtapad (Kailasha)	10224 Years Ago
2 Ajitnath Ajitnath Ajitnatha was the second Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. The soul that became Bhagavan Ajitnath, in its earlier incarnation, was the great king Vimalvahan of Susima city in Mahavideh area. He...	Vijayavimana	Ayodhya; Shikharji Shikharji Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī , also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Moksha ...	Jitashatru by Vijayamata	golden	elephant	1,350 Meters	508.032 Quintillion Years	Shala (Shorea robusta)	Mahayaksha and Ajitabala; or Rohi[n.]i	Shimhasena; Phalgu	Shikharji	5 x 10223 Years Ago
3 Sambhavanath Sambhavanath Sambhavanath was the third Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Sambhavnath was born to King Jitari Raja and Queen Saina Rani at Sravasthi in the Ikshvaku clan...	Uvarimagraiveka	Savathi; Sravasti Sravasti Śrāvastī or Sāvatthī , a city of ancient India, was one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha's lifetime. The city was located in the fertile Gangetic plains in the present day Gonda District of Uttar Pradesh near Balrampur some 120 km north of Lucknow...	Jitari by Senamata	golden	horse	1200m	423.360 Quintillion Years	Prayala (Buchanania latifolia)	Trimukha and Duritari; or Prajnapti	Charu; Syama	Samet Sikhar	2 x 10223 Years Ago
4 Abhinandannath Abhinandannath Abhinandannatha or Abhinandan Swami was the fourth Tirthankara of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its Karma. Abhinandannath was born to King Sanvara Raja and Queen Sidharta Rani at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku clan...	Jayantavimana	Ayodhya; Shikharji	Sambararaja by Siddhartha	golden	monkey	1050m	352.8 Quintillion Years	Priyangu (Panicum italicum)	Nayaka and Kalika; or Yakshesvara and Vajrasrinkhala	Vajranabha; Ajita	Shikharji	10223 Years Ago
5 Sumatinath Sumatinath Sumatinatha was the fifth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma....	Jayantavimana	Ayodhya; Shikharji	Megharaja by Mangala	golden	curlew or red goose	900 Meters	282.24 Quintillion Years	Shala	Tumburu and Mahakali; or Purushadatta	Charama; Kasyapi	Shikharji	10222 Years Ago
6 Padmaprabha Padmaprabha Padmaprabha was the sixth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha - a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Padmaprabha was born to King Shridhar Raja and Queen Susimadevi at Koushambi in the Ikshvaku clan...	Uvarimagraiveka	Kausambi; Sammet Shikharji Shikharji Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī , also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Moksha ...	Sridhara by Susima	red	lotus	750m	211.68 Quintillion Years	Chhatra Chhatra The 'Jewelled/Precious Parasol' is an auspicious symbol in the Dharmic traditions.According to Hindu mythology, it is the emblem of Varuna, also considered an embodiment of kingship. Chhatra is also a deity, yidam and ishta-devata. In various Dharmic traditions it is an accoutrement of chakravartin...	Kusuma and Shyama; or Manovega or Manogupti	Pradyotana; Rati	Shikharji	10221 Years Ago
7 Suparshvanath Suparshvanath Suparshvanath was the seventh Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Suparshvnath was born to King Prathisth Raja and Queen Prithvidevi at Banaras in the Ikshvaku clan...	Madhyamagraiveka	Varanasi; Shikharji Shikharji Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī , also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Moksha ...	Pratishtharaja by Prthvi	golden or emerald	swastika Swastika The swastika is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing form in counter clock motion or its mirrored left-facing form in clock motion. Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient...	600 Meters	141.12 Quintillion Years	Sirisha (Albizia lebbeck Albizia lebbeck Albizia lebbeck is a species of Albizia, native to tropical southern Asia, and widely cultivated and naturalised in other tropical and subtropical regions. English names for it include Lebbeck, Lebbek Tree, Flea Tree, Frywood, Koko and Woman's tongues Tree... )	Matanga and Santa; or Varanandi and Kali	Vidirbha; Soma	Shikharji	10220 Years Ago
8 Chandraprabha Chandraprabha In Jainism, Chandraprabha was the eighth Tirthankara of the present age or Avasarpini. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Chandraprabha was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi at Chandrapuri to the Ikshvaku dynasty...	Vijayanta	Chandrapura; Sammet Shikharji Shikharji Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī , also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Moksha ...	Mahasenaraja by Lakshmana	white	moon	450m	70.56 Quintillion Years	Naga Naga Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...	Vijaya and Bhrikuti; or Shyama or Vijaya and Jvalamalini	Dinna; Sumana	Shikharji	10219 Years Ago
9 Pushpadanta Pushpadanta In Jainism, Puṣpadanta In Jainism, Puṣpadanta In Jainism, Puṣpadanta . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha and an arihant, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma....	Anatadevaloka	Kanandinagari; Shikharji	Sugrivaraja by Ramarani	white	Crocodile Crocodile A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...	300m	14.112 Quintillion Years	Sali	Ajita and Sutaraka; or Mahakali	Varahaka; Varuni	Shikharji	10218 Years Ago
10 Sheetalnath Sheetalnath Sheetalnath was the tenth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Sheetalnath was born to King Dradhrath Raja and Queen Nanda Rani at Bhaddilpur in the Ikshvaku clan...	Achyutadevaloka	Bhadrapura or Bhadilapura; Shikharji	Dridharatha-raja by Nanda	golden	Kalpavriksha or Ficus religiosa	270m	7.056 Quintillion Years	Priyangu	Brahma and Asoka; or Manavi	Nanda; Sujasa	Shikharji	10217 Years Ago
11 Shreyansanath Shreyansanath Shreyansanath was the eleventh Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a Siddha - a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Shreyansanath was born to King Vishnu Raja and Queen Vishnu Devi Rani at Sinhpuri, near Sarnath in the Ikshvaku clan...	Achyutadevaloka	Simhapuri; Shikharji	Vishnuraja by Vishna	golden	rhinoceros Rhinoceros Rhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....	240m	8,400,000 Years	Tanduka	Yakshet and Manavi; or Ishvara and Gauri	Kasyapa; Dharani	Shikharji	10212 Years Ago
12 Vasupujya Vasupujya Vasupujya Swami was the twelve Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Vasupujya was born to King Vasupujya Raja and Queen Jaya Devi Rani at Champapuri in the Ikshvaku clan...	Pranatadevaloka	Champapuri; Shikharji	Vasupujya by Jaya	ruddy	female buffalo	210 Meters	7,200,000 Years	Patala (Bignonia suaveolens Bignonia suaveolens Bignonia suaveolens , synonym Stereospermum suaveolens, is a small tree that grows throughout India. B. suaveolens is an important plant used as medicine in India in ayurveda.-External links:*... )	Kumara and Chanda; or Gandhari	Subhuma; Dharani	Champapuri	4 x 10211 Years Ago
13 Vimalnath Vimalnath Vimalnath was the thirteenth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a Siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Vimalnath was born to King Kratvarm Raja and Queen Shyama Devi at Kampilaji in the Ikshvaku clan...	Mahasaradevaloka	Kampilyapura; Shikharji	Kritavarmaraja by Shyama	golden	pig	180 Meters	6,000,000 Years	Jambu (Eugenia jambolana)	Shanmukha and Vidita; or Vairoti)	Mandara; Dhara	Shikharji	1.6 x 10211 Years Ago
14 Anantnath Anantnath Anantnath was the fourteenth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Anantnath was born to King Raja Sinhsen and Queen Suyasha Rani at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku clan...	Pranatadevaloka	Ayodhya; Shikharji	Simhasena by Suyasah or Sujasa	golden	porcupine	150 Meters	3,000,000 Years	Asoka (Saraca asoca)	Patala and Ankusa; or Anantamati	Jasa ; Padma	Shikharji	7 x 10210 Years Ago
15 Dharmanath Dharmanath Dharmanath was the fifteenth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Dharmanath was born to King Bhanu Raja and Queen Suvrata Rani at Ratnapuri in the Ikshvaku clan...	Vijayavimana	Ratnapuri; Shikharji	Bhanuraja by Suvrita	golden	vajra Vajra Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond...	135m	2,500,000 Years	Dadhiparna (Clitoria ternatea Clitoria ternatea Clitoria ternatea is a plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family.- Distribution :This plant is native to tropical equatorial Asia, but has been introduced to Africa, Australia and America.... )	Kinnara and Kandarpa; or Manasi	Arishta; Arthasiva	Samet Sikhar	3 x 10210 Years Ago
16 Shantinath Shantinath Shantinath was the sixteenth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Shantinath was born to King Viswasen Raja and Queen Achira Rani at Hastinapur in the Ikshvaku clan...	Sarvarthasiddha	Gajapura or Hastinapuri; Shikharji	Visvasena by Achira	golden	deer	120 Meters	100,000 Years	Nandi (Cedrela toona)	Garuda and Nirvani; or Kimpurusha and Mahamanasi	Chakrayuddha; Suchi	Shikharji	10194 Years Ago
17 Kunthunath Kunthunath Kunthunath was the seventeenth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Kunthunath was born to King Shursen Raja and Queen Srirani Rani at Hastinapur in the Ikshvaku clan...	Sarvarthasiddha	Gajapura; Shikharji	Suraraja by Srirani	golden	goat	105m	95,000 Years	Bhilaka	Gandharva and Bala; or Vijaya	Samba; Damini	Samet Sikhar	10194 Years Ago
18 Aranath Aranath Aranath was the eighteenth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he was born around 16,584,980 BCE. He became a siddha - a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Aranath was born to King Sudarshan Raja and Queen Devi Rani at Hastinapur in the Ikshvaku clan...	Sarvarthasiddha	Gajapura; Shikharji	Sudarsana by Devirani	golden	fish or Pisces Pisces Pisces may refer to:*Pisces , a constellation*Pisces , an astrological sign*Fish , as an obsolete taxonomic term*OZ-09MMS Pisces, a fictional mecha in the Gundam Wing anime...	90 Meters	84,000 Years	Amba (Mango Mango The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While... )	Yaksheta and Dhana; or Kendra and Ajita	Kumbha; Rakshita	Shikharji	16,584,980 BCE
19 Mallinath Mallinath Mallinath was the nineteenth Tīrthaṅkara "Ford-Maker" of the present avasarpiṇī age in Jainism. According to Jain beliefs, Mallinath became a siddha - a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Śvētāmbara Jaina beliefs hold that Mallinath was female, making her the only woman to become...	Jayantadevaloka	Mithila; Shikharji	Kumbharaja by Prabhavati	blue	jar or Kalasa	75 Meters	55,000 Years	Asoka	Kubera and Dharanapriya; or Aparajita	Abhikshaka; Bandhumati	Shikharji	6,584,980 BCE
20 Munisuvrata Munisuvrata Munisuvrata Swami was the twentieth Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he was born around 1,184,980 BCE. He became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Munisuvrata was born to King Sumitra Raja and Queen Padmavati Rani at Mithila in the...	Aparajita-devaloka	Rajagriha; Shikharji	Sumitraraja by Padmavati	black	tortoise	60 Meters	30,000 Years	Champaka (Magnolia champaca)	Varuna and Naradatta; or Bahurupini	Malli; Pushpavati	Shikharji	1,184,980 BCE
21 Nami Natha Nami Natha Naminatha was the twenty-first Jain Tirthankar of the current era. According to Jain beliefs, he was born around 584,979 BCE . He became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Naminatha was born to King Vijay Raja and Queen Vipra Rani of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who were the...	Pranatadevaloka	Mithila; Sammet Shikharji Shikharji Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī , also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Moksha ...	Vijayaraja by Viprarani	yellow; or emerald	blue water-lily or blue lotus	45 Meters	10,000 Years	Bakula (Mimusops elengi Mimusops elengi Mimusops elengi is a medium-sized evergreen tree found in tropical forests in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia. English common names include Spanish cherry,, Medlar, and Bullet wood... )	Bhrikuti and Gandhari; or Chamundi	Subha; Anila	Shikharji	584,979 BCE
22 Neminatha	Aparajita	Sauripura and Ujjinta (Ujjain); Mount Girnar	Samudravijaya by Sivadevi	black	conch	30m	1,000 Years	Vetasa	Gomedha and Ambika Ambika (Jainism) In Jainism, Ambika or Ambika Devi is the "dedicated attendant deity" or "protector goddess" of the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminath. She is also known as Ambai, Amba and Amra Kushmandini.... ; or Sarvahna and Kushmandini	Varadatta; Yakshadinna	Mount Girnar	3228 BCE
23 Parshva Parshva Pārśva or Paras was the twenty-third Tirthankara "Ford-Maker" in Jainism . He is the earliest Jain leader generally accepted as a historical figure. Pārśva was a nobleman belonging to the Kshatriya varna....	Pranatadevaloka	Varanasi; Sammet Shikharji Shikharji Shikharji or Śrī Sammed Śikharjī , also known as the Parasnath Hill, located in Giridih district in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and is the most sacred place for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained Moksha ...	Asvasenaraja by Vamadevi	blue	snake	7.7142852 Feet	100 Years	Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa Woodfordia fruticosa Woodfordia fruticosa is a species of plant in the Lythraceae family. It is endemic to India.-References:* CAMP Workshops on Medicinal Plants, India 1998. . Downloaded on 24 August 2007.... )	Parsvayaksha or Dharanendra and Padmavati Padmavati (Jainism) Padmāvatī is the protecting goddess or śāsanadevī of Pārśva, twenty-third Tīrthaṅkara in Jainism. She enjoys an independent religious life and is very popular amongst Jains. Padmāvatī is the main deity at Humbaj, the famous tirtha....	Aryadinna; Pushpachuda	Shikharji	877 BCE
24 Mahavira Mahavira Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...	Pranatadevaloka	Kundagrama (Vaishali District Bihar) ; Rijubalika	Siddhartharaja, Sreyansa or Yasasvin by Trisala Vidchadinna or Priyakarini	yellow	lion	7 Feet	72 Years	teak	Matanga and Siddhayika	Indrabhuti; Chandrabala	Pava Puri	599 BCE

The total length of the lifespans of all 24 Tīrthaṅkaras combined equals 2.603672 Sextillion years.

Living Tīrthaṅkaras

At present time and age, there are no living Tīrthaṅkaras on this Earth. The last living on Earth in this age was Mahavira, who attained omniscience some 2500 years ago.

Nevertheless, Jains believe the universe is never devoid of living Tīrthaṅkaras at any point of time, even though they may at times exist only in other parts of the universe.

See also

• Ahimsa in Jainism
  Ahimsa in Jainism
  Ahiṃsā in Jainism is a fundamental principle forming the cornerstone of its ethics and doctrine. The term "ahimsa" means “non-violence”, “non-injury” or absence of desire to harm any life forms. Vegetarianism and other non-violent practices and rituals of Jains flow from the principle of Ahiṃsā...
  
  
• Deshna
  Deshna
  A Deshna is a type of religious speech in Jain Prakrit. According to Jainism, after a Tirthankara gains infinite knowledge, in his honor, the heavenly beings create a place called samavasarana, where all creatures are welcomed and delivers a speech. This speech is understood by everyone in their...
  
  
• Dharma (Jainism)
  Dharma (Jainism)
  Jain texts assign a wide range of meaning to the word Dharma or Dhamma . It is often translated as “religion” and as such, Jainism is called as Jain Dharma by its adherents....
  
  
• Jain cosmology
  Jain cosmology
  Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the physical and metaphysical Universe and its constituents according to Jainism, which includes the canonical Jain texts, commentaries and the writings of the Jain philosopher-monks...
  
  
• Karma in Jainism
• Moksa (Jainism)
  Moksa (Jainism)
  ' or Mokkha means liberation, salvation or emancipation of soul. It is a blissful state of existence of a soul, completely free from the karmic bondage, free from samsara, the cycle of birth and death. A liberated soul is said to have attained its true and pristine nature of infinite bliss,...
  
  
• Samsara (Jainism)
  Samsara (Jainism)
  In Jainism, ' is the worldly life characterized by continuous rebirths and reincarnations in various realms of existence. is described as mundane existence, full of suffering and misery and hence is considered undesirable and worth renunciation. The is without any beginning and the soul finds...
  
  
• Tattva (Jainism)
  Tattva (Jainism)
  Jain metaphysics is based on seven truths or fundamental principles also known as tattva or navatattva, which are an attempt to explain the nature and solution to the human predicament. The first two are the two ontological categories of the soul jīva and the non-soul ajīva, namely the axiom that...
  
  
• Types of Karma
  Types of Karma
  According to Jain karma theory, there are eight main types of karma which are categorized into the ‘harming’ and the ‘non-harming’; each divided into four types. The harming karmas directly affect the soul powers by impeding its perception, knowledge and energy, and also brings about delusion...
  
  

External links

• AtmaDharma.com Library of Jain Literature in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Prakrit & Sanskrit) - all freely downloadable.
• www.jaina.org
• www.jainsamaj.org
• JainReligion.in Jain Dharma, Jain Tīrthaṅkara, Jainism, Jain Songs.