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24 TIRTHANKAR BHAGWAN CHARITRA
Here is a very simple, short “charitra” (life‑sketch) of all 24 Tirthankar Bhagwan of the present time‑cycle (avasarpini).
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1) Shri Rishabhdev (Adinath) First Tirthankar. Born as a king in Ayodhya. Taught people basic arts of living (farming, trade, script, etc.). Later renounced the world, did deep tapa, attained Keval‑jnan, established the fourfold sangh and finally attained moksha at Ashtapad.
2) Shri Ajitnath Born in Ayodhya in a royal family. From childhood he had great compassion and detachment. Left the kingdom, took diksha, did hard spiritual effort, attained Keval‑jnan and guided countless souls to dharma, then attained moksha (traditionally at Sammed Shikhar).
3) Shri Sambhavnath Born in Shravasti. His birth brought prosperity to the land. He ruled justly, later accepted renunciation, practiced severe austerities, attained Keval‑jnan and finally moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
4) Shri Abhinandannath Born in Ayodhya. Known for his peaceful and humble nature. After ruling with dharma‑bhav, he took diksha, did meditation and tapa, attained Keval‑jnan, spread right faith, knowledge and conduct, then attained moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
5) Shri Sumatinath Born at Ayodhya. Very gentle and charitable. Left royal life, became a monk, practiced deep samayik and dhyan, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
6) Shri Padmaprabha Born at Kaushambi. His complexion is compared to red lotus (padma). He renounced, performed strong austerities, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
7) Shri Suparshvanath Born at Benares (Varanasi). From early age he disliked violence and luxury. He took diksha, remained absorbed in inner purity, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
8) Shri Chandraprabha Born at Chandrapuri (or Benares region). His body had moon‑like coolness and glow. After ruling for some time, he renounced, practiced intense meditation, attained Keval‑jnan and attained moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
9) Shri Pushpadant (Suvidhinath) Born at Kakandi. Very disciplined and truthful. He left the kingdom, became a shraman, performed strict vows, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
10) Shri Shitalnath Born at Bhaddilpur. His nature was “shital” – cool and calm. He renounced royal comforts, did long tapasya, attained Keval‑jnan and moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
11) Shri Shreyansnath Born at Simhapuri. Famous for great charity and forgiveness. After ruling with dharma, he took diksha, practiced deep dhyan, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
12) Shri Vasupujya Swami Born at Champapuri. Even devas are said to have worshipped him (hence “Vasu‑pujya”). He renounced, became a monk, attained Keval‑jnan and finally moksha at Champapuri itself.
13) Shri Vimalnath Born at Kampilpur. Very pure (vimal) in thoughts and actions. He left the palace, took diksha, purified his soul through tapa and dhyan, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
14) Shri Anantnath Born at Ayodhya. “Anant” indicates infinite virtues. He renounced kingship, practiced severe spiritual discipline, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
15) Shri Dharmanath Born at Ratnapuri. Deeply devoted to dharma from childhood. As a monk he lived with extreme ahimsa and aparigraha, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
16) Shri Shantinath Born at Hastinapur. Known for shanti (peace) and forgiveness. After ruling with non‑violence, he renounced, practiced long tapas, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
17) Shri Kunthunath Born at Hastinapur. Showed great restraint and self‑control. He gave up the throne, accepted monkhood, attained Keval‑jnan through deep meditation, and finally moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
18) Shri Aranath Born at Hastinapur. Detached by nature, he soon understood the temporary nature of worldly pleasures. Renounced, practiced austerities, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
19) Shri Mallinath Born at Mithila. Famous for extraordinary purity, tolerance and vairagya. After renunciation and hard spiritual practice, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar. (Here Digambar and Shvetambar traditions differ on whether Mallinath was male or female, but both accept Mallinath as the 19th Tirthankar.)
20) Shri Munisuvratanath Born at Rajgriha (Rajgir). Deeply inclined towards ascetic life even as a child. After diksha he lived like an ideal muni, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
21) Shri Naminath Born at Mithila. At his birth many enemies made peace (nāma = absence of enemies). He renounced the world, practiced intense dhyan, attained Keval‑jnan and then moksha at Sammed Shikhar.
22) Shri Neminath (Arishtanemi) Born at Dwaraka, cousin of Shri Krishna in Jain tradition. On seeing animals tied for slaughter at his own wedding, he developed deep compassion and instant vairagya, left the marriage and took diksha. He did tapa on Girnar, attained Keval‑jnan and finally moksha there.
23) Shri Parshvanath Born at Benares. Protected a snake from being burnt in a sacrificial fire; very strong ahimsa from youth. Took diksha, practiced deep meditation, attained Keval‑jnan and preached for many years, then attained moksha at Sammed Shikhar. He is the 23rd Tirthankar, just before Mahavir.
24) Shri Mahavir Swami (Vardhaman) Born at Kundalpur near Vaishali, in a kshatriya family (Lichchhavi / Jnat clan). After living as a prince and then as a householder for some years, he took great vows, lived 12½ years of very hard tapasya and complete fearlessness, attained Keval‑jnan under a sal tree, established the fourfold sangh and preached for about 30 years. He attained moksha at Pavapuri (Bihar). He is the 24th and last Tirthankar of the present avasarpini in Bharat‑kshetra.
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Note on Digambar–Shvetambar differences
- Both traditions fully agree on the names, order and Tirthankar‑hood of these 24.
- There are some differences in details (e.g., clothing of idols, some family names, Mallinath’s gender, a few kalyanak details), but the spiritual essence of their charitra is the same:
You can read more short stories of all 24 Tirthankars on JainKnowledge here:
