Here is a concise, authentic overview of Jain thirthankaras, important deities, and revered accharayas (spiritual teachers). I’ll keep it simple and note where Digambar and Shwetambar traditions differ.

1) What is a thirthankar?

• A thirthankar is a soul that has conquered inner passions (kashayas), achieved kevala jnana (omniscience), and spiritual liberation. Each thirthankar revives dharma in the world for a long era.

2) The 24 Tirthankaras (list with a brief note)

• 1. Rishabhadeva (Adinath): first Tirthankar; often shown with a bull emblem.
• 2. Ajitnath: second; emblem often a elephant or a deer, revered for peaceful, victorious energy.
• 3. Sambhavnath
• 4. Abhinandannath
• 5. Sumatinath
• 6. Padmaprabha
• 7. Suparshvanath
• 8. Chandraprabha
• 9. Suvidhinath
• 10. Shreyanshnath
• 11. Vasupujya
• 12. Vasakatiputra (Rishabhanatha’s son, sometimes listed as Shitalnath in some texts)
• 13. Shantinath
• 14. Kunthunath
• 15. Aranath
• 16. Mallinath
• 17. Meekhyanath (often listed as Munisuvrat)
• 18. Nagarjuna
• 19. Chandragupta? (Note: the 19th is profile often listed as Vishal)
• 20. Parshwanath
• 21. Dhanvantari? (rarely used in some lists; the more common lineage continues with the later Tirthankaras)
• 22. Kunthunath? (some texts repeat names in different traditions)
• 23. Shantinath
• 24. Mahavira (the 24th, also called Vardhamana Mahavira, founder of Jainism in the current era)

Important note: Different Jain traditions and catalogs sometimes present slight variations in the sequence or spelling (especially for some later Tirthankaras). The core idea remains the same: 24 perfect beings who taught the Jain path in different ages.

3) Deities linked to Jainism (Yaksha/Yakshini and other reverences)

• Yakshas and Yakshinis: Each Tirthankar has associated guardian deities (yakshas and yakshinis) who protect the teachings and help followers. Examples include Padmaprabha’s yaksha and yakshini in various regional traditions.
• Acharas (divine quality and support figures): Jain temples often include images or symbols of auspicious beings, and the Tirthankaras themselves are revered as the supreme beings, with guardians in the form of celestial beings.
• It is common to venerate the Tirthankaras themselves rather than worship deities in the way seen in some other faiths; devotion is directed toward right conduct, wisdom, and liberation.

4) Important accharayas (revered Jain teachers and scholars)

• Acharya Umaswati (also known as Acharya Umāsvatī): Traditionally credited with authoring the Tattvarthasutra, a key Jain text that outlines the path of knowledge (jnana), conduct (caritra), and discipline (vaiyavahara). This work is respected across both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions.
• Acharya Kundakunda: A highly revered Digambar scholar who wrote many key treatises on Jain philosophy and ethics, including samayika, bhakti, and the nature of jiva and karma. His works are foundational in many Digambar lineages.
• Acharya Hemacandra (also called Abhaya Candra): A celebrated Śvetāmbara scholar and poet who wrote many Jain texts, including grammars, poetry, and Jain philosophy. He is especially noted for contributions to Jain literature and scholarship.
• Other respected accharayas across both traditions include various antiquity-era teachers who compiled and explained Jain sutras, commentaries, and codes of conduct. Each sect often has its own revered line of accharayas who shaped practice and interpretation over the centuries.

5) How Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions differ (in this context)

• The roles and writings of accharayas can differ between the two traditions. Both honor Umaswati and Kundakunda, but the emphasis on certain texts, commentaries, and doctrinal interpretations can vary.
• The Tirthankaras and basic doctrine (ahimsa, aparigraha, anekantavada) are shared, but temple practices, texts favored, and the dating of certain figures may differ slightly between Digambar and Śvetāmbara communities.

6) How to study this topic further

• Start with the 24 Tirthankaras: learn each name, emblem, and the era they belong to; this provides the backbone of Jain cosmology.
• Explore the main Jain texts:

- Tattvarthasutra (core synthesis of Jain philosophy) - Works of Kundakunda (Digambar-focused literary tradition) - Works of Hemacandra and other Śvetāmbara scholars

• Learn about the role of accharayas as teachers and commentators in Jain history, and how their writings shaped moral and philosophical practice.

If you’d like, I can give you short, plain-language summaries of specific Tirthankaras, excerpts from core texts (in Jain Dharma context), or explain how Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions differ on particular points.