In Jain tradition, every Tirthankar “Prabhu” has many earlier incarnations before the final life in which he becomes a Tirthankar.

1. How many earlier births for each Tirthankar?

According to Jain scriptures and traditional charitras:

• Each of the 24 Tirthankars completes 27 previous births (purva‑janma)
• After these 27 lives, the 28th human birth is the final one in which he:

- takes diksha (renunciation), - attains keval‑jnān (omniscience), - and then moksha (liberation).

This 27‑birth pattern is accepted in both Digambar and Shvetambar traditions; only some story‑details differ.

You can read a simple explanation of this here and here

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2. Example: Earlier births of Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Ādināth)

Traditional outline:

• First recorded birth in this uplifted series:

As Dhana, a very generous and virtuous merchant in Kshitipratishthita (Videh Kshetra).

• Over many later births, his soul rises through:

- good householders, - kings, - ascetics, - and deva (heavenly) lives.

• Last previous birth (27th):

As a deva in Sarvārthasiddhi heaven.

• Final (28th) birth as Tirthankar:

As Rishabhdev, son of King Nābhirāja and Queen Marudevī in Ayodhyā (Vinītā), where he becomes the 1st Tirthankar of this avasarpinī.

Simple detail in story form is here:

Both Digambar and Shvetambar agree on this basic structure (27 earlier births, last as Sarvārthasiddhi‑deva, then final human birth as Rishabhdev).

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3. Example: Earlier births of Bhagwan Mahavir

One especially famous earlier incarnation:

• Marichi

- Son of Bharat Chakravarti, who was son of Bhagwan Rishabhdev. - Marichi became an ascetic but kept comforts (like a cushion), showing attachment and pride. - Because of these subtle attachments, he could not attain moksha in that life.

Over many more births, the same soul purified its karma and finally:

• Took birth as Vardhaman Mahavir, son of King Siddharth and Queen Trishala,
• Became the 24th Tirthankar, attained keval‑jnān and then moksha.

Tradition says: Mahavir is the 27th incarnation of Marichi (meaning, counting from Marichi there are many rebirths; in the total uplifted series there are 27 purva‑janmas before the final Tirthankar life).

You can read this story in simple language here:

Digambar and Shvetambar both accept Marichi as a major earlier birth of Mahavir; some small narrative points differ.

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4. Earlier incarnations of each Prabhu

For all 24 Tirthankars:

• The exact name and story of every one of the 27 earlier births is given in detailed Purāṇas / Charitras (like Ādipurāṇa, Padmapurāṇa, Uttarapurāṇa, Kalpasūtra, etc.).
• The pattern is the same:

1. Many lives as virtuous householders and kings who practice dān, dayā, dharma. 2. Then lives as ascetics, strengthening saṁyam (restraint) and tapas (austerity). 3. Finally, a very high deva birth. 4. Then the last human birth as a Kshatriya, when the Tirthankar‑nāma‑karma matures.

Listing all 27 detailed births for each of the 24 Tirthankars would be very long, but this is the standard Jain understanding for every Prabhu.

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5. Difference between Digambar & Shvetambar views

• Agree on:

- 24 Tirthankars in this half‑time‑cycle. - Each has 27 earlier births before the final Tirthankar life. - Pattern of rising through good human and deva rebirths.

• Differ slightly on:

- Some names, places, and small story‑details in those earlier births. - But no change in the main spiritual principle: continuous purushārtha (effort) → purification of karma → Tirthankar‑hood → moksha.

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In short: Every Prabhu (all 24 Tirthankars) has a long history of 27 spiritually uplifting earlier incarnations. These lives show increasing dān, śīl, saṁyam, and tapas, ending with a deva birth and then the final human birth as a Tirthankar, where they attain keval‑jnān and lead countless souls towards liberation.