In this vast world, words may be limited, but their meanings are infinite.
This video may be just fifteen minutes long, yet it holds boundless and eternal wisdom — truly an ocean in a droplet.
This is Episode 4 of “Gagar Ma Sagar” — focused on the foundational pillar of Jain Dharma: the Tirthankara.
The name of a Tirthankara itself contains immense spiritual power.
Just as the sun burns tirelessly across ages, without distinguishing between night or day, to sustain life on Earth —
So too does the enlightened soul, having undergone infinite spiritual heat (tapas), shine with compassion and divinity for the salvation of the world.
Even if countless suns came together, their efforts would still fall short of what one Tirthankara does for universal upliftment.
A Tirthankara is one who not only crosses the ocean of worldly existence but also establishes the path (Tirtha) for others to do so.
Thus, in the sacred Navkar Mantra, the very first obeisance is: “Namo Arihantanam” — salutation to the Arihants, the Tirthankaras.
How Does One Become a Tirthankara?
Tirthankaras, in their infinite past lives, were ordinary souls like us — entangled in the endless cycle of birth and death.
But at some point, their spiritual effort awakens.
They receive satsang, selfless service opportunities, and a human birth — all of which they embrace with deep devotion.
They begin to shed bodily attachments and cultivate the right view (Samyak Darshan) and right faith.
Over several lives, their spiritual intensity increases. Eventually, they reach a life where they perform “vish-sthanak aaradhana” — worship of the twenty spiritual stages necessary to acquire Tirthankara Naam Karma (the karma that causes one to be born as a Tirthankara).
This includes:
- Glorifying the Arihants
- Praising the Siddhas
- Worshiping the scriptures
- Deep devotion to monks and ascetics
- Engaging in seva (service) and compassion
All with the single noble intention: “May all souls attain liberation.”
Through this, they earn the most supreme karmic bond: Tirthankara Naam Karma.
The Journey of a Tirthankara’s Soul
After earning this karma, the soul takes birth in the celestial realms.
Once that life ends, the Tirthankara Naam Karma becomes active.
At conception, the mother sees 14 auspicious dreams, and the gods celebrate the moment of “Chyavan Kalyanak” (descent of the soul into the womb).
Even the infernal realms are illuminated at that moment. When a soul asks why there is sudden light in hell, another replies, “A Tirthankara has either descended, been born, attained omniscience, or attained liberation.”
After 9.5 months, the divine birth occurs. The Indra of the first heavenly realm descends to Meru Parvat or Vaibhavgiri to perform the sacred birth rituals.
The body of the newborn is flawless — shining like a pearl. Even their blood is pure white, as described when Lord Mahavira’s foot bled milk after a snakebite — symbolic of his divine body.
The moment a Tirthankara is born, disease and negativity vanish in nearby regions.
After growing up, they eventually renounce worldly life, and their initiation ceremony is again celebrated by 64 celestial Indras.
Before initiation, heavenly beings request the Tirthankara to begin their spiritual mission. The soul gives away over 3.5 crore gold coins in charity for one full year and then takes Diksha (renunciation).
Post-Diksha, the Tirthankara observes complete silence until attaining Keval Jnan (omniscience).
When this happens, their 64 divine attributes blossom fully. The gods construct a Samavasaran — a divine preaching hall.
The Divine Mission of a Tirthankara
The Tirthankara, who had remained silent since renunciation, now speaks —
With infinite compassion, they proclaim:
“O noble souls, cross over — and help others cross over as well.”
They establish the Chaturvidha Sangh (Fourfold Order):
- Monks (Sadhus)
- Nuns (Sadhvis)
- Laymen (Shravaks)
- Laywomen (Shravikas)
Every morning and evening, for a full prahar (3 hours), they deliver discourses.
This continues until their Nirvana (liberation).
For example, Lord Mahavira, before attaining Nirvana, fasted for two days, gave eighteen final sermons, and maintained an unbroken flow of divine speech — for 16 consecutive hours.
The Cosmic Impact of a Tirthankara
The Tirthankara’s presence purifies everything:
- Their 34 supernatural attributes (Atishayas)
- The Samavasaran, made of gold, gems, and diamonds
- Wild animals become calm
- Even the fiercest epidemics fade away
Beings from all realms — humans, animals, celestial beings — gather and understand the Tirthankara’s speech in their own language.
Wherever they walk, negativity vanishes. This is because their soul radiates infinite compassion.
Even the king of the celestial realm, Shakendra Maharaja, bows to them with the hymn “Namutthunam”.
The Geography of Tirthankaras
Tirthankaras are eternal; they continuously appear on Earth in cycles.
Where we live now is called Bharat Kshetra.
Beyond it lies the Mahavideh Kshetra, and beyond that is the Airavat Kshetra.
Across these regions, the cycle of Akarm Bhumi, Karm Bhumi, and Yuddh Bhumi continues.
Tirthankaras are born only in Karm Bhumi.
- In Mahavideh Kshetra, there is always only Karm Bhumi — so there are always Tirthankaras present
- There are at least 20 Tirthankaras at any time
- Across the five Mahavideh regions, there are 160 zones where Tirthankaras can be born
In Bharat and Airavat Kshetra, there are 5 Tirthankaras each — totaling 170 Tirthankaras currently.
During Lord Ajitnath’s era, 160 Tirthankaras were simultaneously preaching across the world.
Currently, due to being in Yuddh Bhumi, no Tirthankara is present here —
But when Karm Bhumi returns, 24 new Tirthankaras will again grace this Earth.
The Path to Liberation
After a Tirthankara attains liberation, spiritual energy on Earth begins to decline, until the next Tirthankara arises to re-establish Dharma.
Tirthankaras possess 12 unique attributes, including:
- Destruction of four main karmas:
- Jnanavarniya (knowledge-obscuring)
- Darshanavarniya (perception-obscuring)
- Mohaniya (deluding)
- Antaraya (obstructing)
With their destruction, the soul gains:
- Infinite knowledge (Keval Jnan)
- Infinite vision (Keval Darshan)
- Complete dispassion (Vitaragata)
- Unstoppable energy (Anant Virya)
When such a soul establishes the Chaturvidha Sangh on Earth, they are called a Tirthankara.
When they attain liberation, they become a Siddha.
🕊️ Conclusion:
A Tirthankara is not just a spiritual teacher — they are a cosmic phenomenon, a soul so pure, it becomes a beacon of light for the entire universe.
Their life is not a myth, nor history — it is an eternal, repeating phenomenon in time.
Understanding their journey helps us awaken our own inner potential.
By singing their glory, we uplift our souls.
By following their path, we cross over — and help others do the same.