Tirthankaras

Tirthankaras are enlightened beings in Jainism who have conquered the cycle of birth and death and reveal the path to spiritual liberation. The term combines tirtha, ford, and karā, maker, meaning they create a ford across the sea of worldly existence and guide others to liberation. In Jain cosmology, time is cyclical. In the present ascending half-cycle, twenty-four Tirthankaras arise one after another. The first, Rishabhanatha (Adinath), founded the early Jain community, and the twenty-fourth and last is Mahavira (Vardhamana), whose teaching forms the basis of contemporary Jain practice.

Tirthankaras attain kevala jnana (omniscience) and become siddhas, permanently liberated souls who reside beyond the cycle of birth. They appear in the world to teach Dharma, reform communities, and set ethical standards. They articulate the three jewels—samyak darshana (correct belief), samyak jnana (correct knowledge), and samyak charitra (correct conduct)—and promulgate the Jain code of conduct, including non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).

Images and symbols associated with each Tirthankara are common in Jain art and temples, serving as mnemonic aids for devotees. While both Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions venerate the 24 Tirthankaras, differences exist in iconography and interpretation: for example, Digambaras emphasize naked ascetic imagery, while Śvetāmbaras depict Tirthankaras clothed.