Yes — in Jain Dharma, a Tirthankar can have dayā in the sense of pure compassion without attachment, but it is important to understand the Jain meaning of dayā correctly.

Key point

A Tirthankar does not act from emotional attachment, pity, or personal preference. But a Tirthankar certainly possesses:

• Anant karuṇā toward all जीवs
• Upadeśa for the welfare of all beings
• Vāṇī that is beneficial, truthful, and free from rāga-dveṣa

So when you ask, “If a Tirthankar can have vāṇī without attachment, why can’t he have dayā without attachment?” — the Jain answer is:

He can. But his dayā is not like worldly compassion.

Difference between worldly dayā and Tirthankar’s dayā

Worldly dayā often arises from:

• emotional sorrow,
• partiality,
• affection,
• a sense of “this is mine”,
• or attachment to helping certain beings.

Tirthankar’s dayā is:

• completely free from attachment,
• equal toward all jīvas,
• based on pure spiritual vision,
• expressed through teaching, guidance, and showing the path to liberation.

Why no contradiction?

Because in Jainism, after omniscience, a Tirthankar no longer acts through karmic passions. So his compassion is not a feeling that binds karma; it is the natural expression of:

• Keval jñān
• Samatā
• Universal benevolence

Simple way to understand

A Tirthankar’s vāṇī and dayā both arise from the same pure state:

• no rāga
• no dveṣa
• no moha

So yes, a Tirthankar has dayā, but it is nirvikāra dayā — compassion without emotional attachment.

In Jain terms

A Tirthankar does not “feel pity” in a worldly sense. He reveals the path for the benefit of all beings. That is the highest form of dayā in Jain Dharma.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between dayā, karuṇā, and maitrī in Jain philosophy.