Thursday, March 18, 2010

Introduction to 24 Tirthankaras

What is Tirthankara?A tirthankara is one who establishes Jain organization after conquering both love and hatred . He shows a fine path to the living beings of the world to be free from ignorance, misery and moha (Worldly happiness)
What do Tirthankaras do?The 24 Tirthankaras are considered to be the creator of Jain religion. They are divine elements of Jainism. They have attained all the achievement of ultimate nature including the ultimate knowledge after making vigorous efforts. Their principles are for betterment and welfare of others. Their path is to provide total fearless life and that of non-violence and to distribute love and friendship. Their vision of life is very wide and they have no insistence for anything. Their way of life is for giving up possessive passion and being free from the karmas we have a brief introduction of all 24 Tirthankaras, who are generous, noble passion-free and very holy characters.
Why there are 24 Tirthankaras only?The answer to this question can be perhaps available from the 87th stanza of “Yashstilakchulikc” scripture written by Acharya Somdev Suri. He observes:'There are indefinite number of Grahas (Planets) – Nakshatras – Stars (Heavenly elements in the sky). But their numbers are shown to be limited by the rule of nature. In the present era of Utsarpini time-span, there are 24 times only when these heavenly elements are positioned in the best location. This is a certainty. Therefore there are only 24 Tirthankaras only not a one less not a one more. Introduction of 24 Tirthankaras
Sr.No.
Name of Tirthankars
Introduction
1.
Lord Rishabhdev
He had a sign of an ox on his thigh. The mother Marudeva had seen 14 dreams, of which the first was that of an ox. He started the religion after a time span of 18 koda Kodi Sagaropam (Sagaropam itself is almost an innumerable number, therefore 18 KodaKodi sagaropam is a countless number) Therefore, he was known as Adinath also (The first one)
2.
Lord Ajitnath
When mother Vijaya Rani and Father Jitshatru were playing chess; the queen was winning and winning. She did not lose. Likewise, the Lord did not lose. He won the enemies like love and hates.
3.
Lord Sambhavnath
On his birth, there was plenty of crops everywhere. There was no famine, or draught. All these characteristics were of a good person. Therefore he was known as Sambhavnath.
4.
Lord Abhinandan Swami
When he was conceived in mother’s womb, Lord Indra made frequent visits and praised Him. People in the family and the state became happy and they congratulated each other. So his name was decided
5.
Lord Sumatinat
Once mother, while finding solution to a very difficult problem, got good intellect and she could resolve the conflict peacefully. so he was good 'Mati'. He was known as Sumatinat.
6.
Lord Padmaprabh
The mother desired to sleep on lotus leaf. The lord also was as unattached as Lotus flower
7.
Lord Suparshvanath
The mother had a disease on both the sides, but when the Lord Supashva was conceived , she was totally cured and became glittering like gold.
8.
Lord Chandra Prabha Swami
Mother had a desire to drink the nectar from moon. She had a feeling of coolness.
9.
Lord Suvidhinath
When He was in mother’s womb, he had desire to perform good deeds. He became one performing good deeds.
10.
Lord Shitalnath
The father had a very strong burning fever, which could be calmed down by a cool touch of his mother. He also cooled down threefold burnings of the world.
11.
Lord Shreyanshnath
There was a bed, set out by some God. It was worshipped, but could not be taken in use. The mother used in but nothing happened due to the great Lord’s grace, who was in the womb. On the contrary the world became happyier
12.
Lord Vasupujya
Indra made Frequent showers of diamonds / Wealth. He got the name Vasupujya from the name of His father Vasudev.
13.
Lord Vimalnath
When He was in mother's womb, both the body and the mind became pure with his grace. The Lord, destroyed the unclean karmas with purity of this mind.
14.
Lord Anantnath
The mother had a dream of a garland made from numerous precious giens likewise, with a thread within innumerable knots, the fever and other illness of people disappeared. The Lord performed worship for indefinite period, for three fold jwelves
15.
Lord Dharmanath
The mother became more prone to religion. The lord himself was by nature prone to religion
16.
Lord Shantinath
When he was in mother’s womb, all the disease and misdeeds disappeared. There was peace all around.
17.
Lord Kunthunath
In a dream, a big pillar made from Jewellary was seen. The enemies became as small as ‘Kunthu’ Besides small tiny creatures were taken care of by the Lord.
18.
Lord Arnath
In the dream was seen the wheel with jewel and the pillar. This resulted in growth of the dynasty.
19.
Lord Mallinath
The mother had a desire to sleep in a bed decorated with flowers of all the six seasons. This desire was fulfilled by Gods. The lord won the Moha etc.
20.
Lord Munisuvrat Swami
Mother had a desire to keep best vows; and she kept 12 such vows.
21.
Lord Naminath
When the mother was moving on the fort, her luster could not be seen and faced by the enemies. They bowed down. The lord also got the love and hatred bowed down to him.
22.
Lord Neminath (Lord Aristhnemi)
Aristha means black jewel. Mother saw such black jewel saw a shining wheel. The lord is also as good as sharp edge of the Religious wheel to destroy the Karmas.
23.
Lord Parshvanath
Mother saw a snake passing by a bed of the king without doing any injury (biting) to the king.
24.
Lord Mahavir SwamiLord Vardhman
There was a constant increase in wealth, crops, prosperity, achievements etc., parents grew with more and more fame. The Lord became fearless, firm and brave.