Answer

Simandhar Swami is alive today in Mahavideh Kshetra because, according to Jain tradition, Mahavideh Kshetra is a special region of the universe where Tirthankars are present and preaching at all times.

In our Bharat Kshetra, the 24 Tirthankars of the present time-cycle have already attained moksha, including Bhagwan Mahavir Swami. But in Mahavideh Kshetra, the spiritual conditions remain suitable for living Tirthankars to exist and give deshna.

Explanation

In Jain cosmology, the middle world has different regions, including:

• Bharat Kshetra — where we live
• Airavat Kshetra
• Mahavideh Kshetra

In Bharat Kshetra and Airavat Kshetra, time moves through rising and declining cycles. Because of this, the appearance of Tirthankars happens only during certain periods.

But Mahavideh Kshetra has a more stable spiritual environment. There, the conditions needed for a Tirthankar’s presence and preaching continue to exist. Therefore, living Tirthankars are always present there.

Simandhar Swami is one of the living Tirthankars currently present in Mahavideh Kshetra.

Why not the other 24 Tirthankars?

The 24 Tirthankars of our Bharat Kshetra, such as:

• Rishabhdev Bhagwan
• Parshvanath Bhagwan
• Mahavir Swami Bhagwan

have completed their worldly life and attained moksha. Once a Tirthankar attains moksha, the soul becomes liberated forever and does not return to worldly existence.

So they are not “alive” in a physical body, but they exist eternally as Siddhas in Siddhashila.

Spiritual Understanding

Simandhar Swami’s presence reminds Jains that Jain Dharma is not only a past tradition. The path of liberation is eternally present. Even today, somewhere in the universe, a Tirthankar is preaching the true dharma.

Devotion to Simandhar Swami is meaningful because he is regarded as a living Tirthankar who is currently giving deshna in Mahavideh Kshetra.

Takeaway

Simandhar Swami is alive because he belongs to Mahavideh Kshetra, where living Tirthankars are always present. The Tirthankars of our Bharat Kshetra have already attained moksha and now exist as liberated Siddhas.