Answer

In Jain Dharma, all 24 Tirthankaras are honored as fully liberated, omniscient beings who show the path to moksha. Bhagwan Mahavira is the 24th Tirthankara of the present time-cycle, just as Bhagwan Parshvanath is the 23rd.

Having deep devotion toward Bhagwan Parshvanath is respected in Jain tradition. But rejecting or refusing reverence toward Bhagwan Mahavira is not consistent with accepted Jain understanding.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, devotion to a Tirthankara is not based on personal preference, sect identity, or historical attachment. A Tirthankara is worshipped because He has:

• Destroyed all karmas,
• Attained kevaljnan,
• Established the path of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct,
• Attained moksha.

Bhagwan Parshvanath and Bhagwan Mahavira are not rivals. Jain tradition sees both as Tirthankaras in the same sacred lineage.

A person may feel special devotion toward Bhagwan Parshvanath, but disrespect or deliberate rejection of Bhagwan Mahavira would be spiritually harmful because it reflects lack of humility toward a liberated being.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, reverence is not personality worship. It is reverence for pure soul qualities:

• Infinite knowledge,
• Infinite perception,
• Infinite bliss,
• Infinite energy,
• Complete freedom from attachment and aversion.

To bow before a Tirthankara is to bow before the perfected state of the soul. Therefore, honoring Bhagwan Mahavira does not reduce devotion to Bhagwan Parshvanath. Rather, it strengthens one’s reverence for the entire path of liberation.

Takeaway

A Jain may have special devotion to Bhagwan Parshvanath, but sincere Jain faith traditionally includes reverence for all 24 Tirthankaras, including Bhagwan Mahavira. Disrespect toward any Tirthankara is not aligned with Jain Dharma.