Does Jain thithankar pray Hindu god?
Short answer: No. In Jainism, a Tirthankar does not pray to Hindu gods.
Key points:
- Tirthankaras are enlightened beings who have conquered karma and attained kevala-jnana (omniscience). Their path is personal spiritual discipline (austerities, right conduct, and right knowledge) to help others achieve liberation.
- They neither depend on nor petition deities for help to achieve moksha. Devas in Jain cosmology exist and may witness or accompany spiritually significant events, but they do not grant liberation, and Tirthankaras do not worship them as creators or saviors.
- In both major Jain traditions (Digambar and Shwetambar), the emphasis is on self-effort and the dharma taught by the Tirthankaras. Devotional practices in Jainism typically center on venerating the Tirthankaras themselves and adhering to the five great vows, rather than praying to Hindu deities.
If you’d like, I can explain how each tradition (Digambar vs. Shwetambar) views devotional life and the role of celestial beings in more detail.