Tirthankars say, “We are siddha / vitarag, we do not dwell in moha and maya.” Exactly for that reason we worship them.

Here is the clear Jain view, in simple points:

1. What is a Tirthankar now?

- After nirvana they are Siddha: no body, no mind, no likes–dislikes, no attachment (moha), no maya. - They do not sit in heaven listening to our problems, and they do not give money, job, health, etc. - They are in pure soul state only.

1. So why worship them if they can’t “do” anything for us?

Because Jain pooja is not for getting favors. We worship: - to remember their gunas (qualities) – vitaragta, ahimsa, samta, aparigraha - to awaken those same qualities in ourselves - to clean our own bhav (inner attitude) – reduce ego, anger, greed, attachment

In Jainism, moksha comes only from our own efforts (purusharth) – right faith, right knowledge, right conduct – not from anyone’s “kripa” (grace). Pooja is a tool to strengthen that effort, not a bargain with God.

1. Idol is nimitta (instrument), not the giver

- The stone or metal murti does not “contain” the Lord; it is a symbol of the state they reached. - When we bow to the idol, we are really bowing to the perfect soul-state and saying: “I also want to become like this – free from moha and maya.” - By repeatedly seeing, bowing, and praising that vitarag state, our mind slowly turns inward and upward.

1. Does our worship create moha in Tirthankars?

- No. They are beyond praise–insult, worship–neglect. - Whether we worship or not, nothing changes for them. - Worship changes us, not them. So there is no contradiction: - They remain free from moha and maya, - We use their image and remembrance to reduce our own moha and maya.

1. Digambar & Shvetambar – any difference here?

- Both agree: Tirthankars/Siddhas do not interfere, do not give worldly fruits, and are completely vitarag. - Both agree: we worship their virtues, not for material gain. - Difference is mainly in ritual style (type of idol, clothing, method of pooja, etc.), not in this basic philosophy.

1. Simple way to remember

- Other religions: often worship = “Please give me something.” - Jain dharma: worship = “Please remind me what I must become.” We worship not the person but the perfection.

So, we worship Tirthankars precisely because they are out of moha and maya. Their vitarag state becomes our ideal and mirror, helping us walk the same path to moksha.