In Jainism, both Tirthankars and other liberated souls (siddhas) finally reach the same state of moksha – complete freedom from karma, birth, death, and suffering. The difference is in their role before they attain moksha.

1. What is a Tirthankar?

A Tirthankar is:

• A soul who:

- Attains keval jnān (omniscience) and - Also has a very special karma called Tirthankar-nāma-karma.

• Because of this, when they attain keval jnān:

- A samavasaran (divine assembly) manifests. - They establish or revive Jain dharma in that time-cycle. - They create a “tirth” – a ford, a crossing – for countless souls to progress toward liberation. ( jainknowledge.com)

So, a Tirthankar is not only liberated; they are also a world-teacher who organizes:

• Four-fold sangh: monks, nuns, shravaks (laymen), shravikas (laywomen).
• Clear path: right faith, right knowledge, right conduct.

There are exactly 24 Tirthankars in each half-cycle of time.

2. What about other souls who attain moksha?

Many souls:

• Practice right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
• Destroy all karmas.
• Attain keval jnān, and then moksha.

But they do not:

• Establish a new dharma for the whole world.
• Get the special Tirthankar-nāma-karma.
• Have samavasaran for the entire loka.

These souls are called kevalis (while embodied) and siddhas (after final liberation). They are equally perfect in knowledge and purity, but they don’t have the specific role of Tirthankar.

3. After moksha – are they different?

After leaving the body:

• Tirthankars and all other liberated souls become Siddhas.
• In Siddhashila, there is:

- No body - No name, gender, or form - Only infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and power.

So, in the final liberated state there is no difference at all. All siddhas are spiritually equal.

4. Simple summary

• Before moksha:

- Tirthankar = kevali + special role of world-teacher, establisher of tirth. - Other moksha-bound souls = kevali, great saint, but not a Tirthankar.

• After moksha:

- No difference – all are siddhas, perfectly liberated souls.

You can read more about who is a Tirthankar here