Lord Mahavir’s Teachings & The Eternal History of Jainism (24 Tirthankaras List) भगवान महावीर की शिक्षाएँ और जैन धर्म का शाश्वत इतिहास (२४ तीर्थंकर सूची)

1. The Essence: Namokar Mantra (जैन धर्म का मूलमंत्र)

Before understanding the history, we bow to the supreme beings:

णमो अरिहंताणं, णमो सिद्धाणं, णमो आइरियाणं। णमो उवज्झायाणं, णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं।। (Obeisance to the Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and all Sadhus of the world.)

2. Jainism: An Eternal Religion (धर्म की शाश्वत सत्ता)

• English: According to the natural order of the universe, religion is eternal. Jainism has no founder; it is a natural religion (Prakritik Dharma) with no beginning and no end (Anadinidhan). Great souls (Tirthankaras) are born from time to time to reveal this truth.

• Hindi: जैन धर्म प्राकृतिक सृष्टि व्यवस्था के अनुसार एक शाश्वत सत्ता है। इसका कोई संस्थापक नहीं है। यह 'अनादि-निधन' है (जिसका न आदि है, न अंत)। समय-समय पर महापुरुषों ने जन्म लेकर इसे केवल प्रकाशित किया है।

• Vedic Reference: Even Vedic Puranas acknowledge Jainism as pre-dating the Vedas, referring to it as "Nirgranth Dharma" (The path of the knot-less/liberated ones).

3. Definition of 'Jin' and 'Jain' ('जिन' और 'जैन' का अर्थ)

To understand Jainism, one must understand the root words:

• Who is a 'Jin'?

  • Sanskrit: "कर्मारातीन् जयतीति जिनः"

  • Meaning: One who conquers the enemies known as 'Karma' is called a Jin (Conqueror).

• Who is a 'Jain'?

  • Sanskrit: "जिनोदेवता यस्यासौ जैनः"

  • Meaning: Those who accept the 'Jin' as their God/Ideal are called Jains.

• Conclusion: Therefore, Jainism is not limited to a specific caste or sect; it is a religion for every living being (Pranimatra ka Dharma).

4. List of 24 Tirthankaras (वर्तमान २४ तीर्थंकरों के नाम)

In the current cosmic era (Karmayug/Avsarpini Kaal), 24 Tirthankaras have attained liberation (Moksha). Their names are:

1. Rishabhdev (Adinath)

2. Ajitnath

3. Sambhavnath

4. Abhinandannath

5. Sumatinath

6. Padmaprabh

7. Suparshvanath

8. Chandraprabhu

9. Pushpadantanath

10. Sheetalnath

11. Shreyansnath

12. Vasupujyanath

13. Vimalnath

14. Anantnath

15. Dharmanath

16. Shantinath

17. Kunthunath

18. Arahnath

19. Mallinath

20. Munisuvratnath

21. Naminath

22. Neminath

23. Parshvanath

24. Mahavir Swami

5. Contribution of Lord Rishabhdev (प्रथम तीर्थंकर का योगदान)

• English: The first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabhdev, was born in Ayodhya countless years ago. He is considered the Father of Human Civilization. He taught the people the 6 Arts of Living (Shat-Kriya) to survive and thrive:

  1. Asi (Swordsmanship/Defense)

  2. Masi (Writing/Ink)

  3. Krishi (Agriculture)

  4. Vidya (Knowledge)

  5. Vanijya (Commerce/Trade)

  6. Shilp (Crafts/Art)

• Hindi: प्रथम तीर्थंकर भगवान ऋषभदेव ने अयोध्या में जन्म लिया था। उन्होंने ही प्रजा को जीवन जीने की ६ कलाएं (षट्कर्म) सिखाई थीं: असि (सुरक्षा), मसि (लेखन), कृषि (खेती), विद्या, वाणिज्य (व्यापार) और शिल्प।