who are 24 Tirthankaras
3
Answer
The 24 Tirthankaras of the present time cycle in Jain Dharma are:
- Rishabhdev / Adinath
- Ajitnath
- Sambhavnath
- Abhinandannath
- Sumatinath
- Padmaprabhu
- Suparshvanath
- Chandraprabhu
- Pushpadant / Suvidhinath
- Sheetalnath
- Shreyansnath
- Vasupujya
- Vimalnath
- Anantnath
- Dharmanath
- Shantinath
- Kunthunath
- Aranath
- Mallinath
- Munisuvrat Swami
- Naminath
- Neminath / Arishtanemi
- Parshvanath
- Mahavir Swami
Explanation
A Tirthankara is a perfected soul who attains Kevalgyan — infinite knowledge — and shows the path of liberation to others. They establish the fourfold Jain Sangh:
- Sadhu — monks
- Sadhvi — nuns
- Shravak — laymen
- Shravika — laywomen
Takeaway
The 24 Tirthankaras are not creators of the universe, but enlightened teachers who reveal the eternal path of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct leading to moksha.