Answer

In Jain tradition, the 24 Tirthankaras are the great spiritual teachers who showed the path of liberation in the present half-cycle of time called avasarpiṇī. The first Tirthankara was Rishabhdev (also called Adinath) and the 24th was Bhagwan Mahavir.

Explanation

A Tirthankara is one who:

• conquers inner passions such as anger, pride, deceit, and greed
• establishes the “tirtha,” or spiritual ford, that helps souls cross the ocean of worldly suffering
• revives the Jain path of ahimsa, truth, non-attachment, and self-discipline

The traditional sequence of the 24 Tirthankaras is:

1. Rishabhdev
2. Ajitnath
3. Sambhavnath
4. Abhinandan Swami
5. Sumatinath
6. Padmaprabhu
7. Suparshvanath
8. Chandraprabhu
9. Suvidhinath / Pushpadanta
10. Shitalnath
11. Shreyansnath
12. Vasupujya
13. Vimalnath
14. Anantanath
15. Dharmanath
16. Shantinath
17. Kunthunath
18. Aranath
19. Mallinath
20. Munisuvrat Swami
21. Naminath
22. Neminath
23. Parshvanath
24. Mahavir Swami

A few important points in Jain history:

• Rishabhdev is regarded as the first Tirthankara and a great founder of civilized life in Jain tradition.
• Neminath is traditionally connected with compassion and renunciation.
• Parshvanath was the 23rd Tirthankara and came before Mahavir.
• Mahavir was the 24th and last Tirthankara of the present time-cycle.

Spiritual Understanding

The history of the 24 Tirthankaras is not just a list of names. It is a reminder that:

• liberation is possible through self-purification
• external rituals are not enough without inner discipline
• every soul has the potential to become pure and free

Each Tirthankara represents the same eternal Jain truth, shown again and again for the benefit of living beings.

Takeaway

The 24 Tirthankaras form the heart of Jain history and faith. Their lives teach that the path to moksha is through nonviolence, truth, renunciation, and victory over the self.