Tirthankara

noun (countable)

/ˌtɪːrθəŋˈkɑːrə/

A Tirthankara ('ford-maker') is, in Jain theology, one of the 24 supreme beings who attain omniscience (kevala jnana) through complete ascetic renunciation and who then establish the 'ford' (tirtha) — the fourfold Jain community of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen — to guide souls across the ocean of worldly existence (samsara) to liberation (moksha). Each of the 24 Tirthankaras is associated with specific symbols, attendants (yakshas and yakshinis), and colours; the first is Rishabhadeva (Adinatha) and the 24th and historically attested one is Mahavira (599–527 BCE, traditional dates). They are depicted in the distinctive kayotsarga (erect, arms-at-sides meditation posture) in Jain art.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The colossal monolithic statue of Tirthankara Bahubali (Gommateshvara) at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, carved in 983 CE under Western Ganga patronage, stands 18 metres tall and is consecrated every 12 years in the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony, one of the largest peaceful religious gatherings in the world.

Synonyms

ford-makerJinaliberated teacherJain saviouromniscient teacher

Antonyms

samsari (one still bound in rebirth)ajnani (ignorant being)deluded soul

🌱 Word Family

Tirthankara (noun), tīrtha (base noun — sacred ford/pilgrimage site), tīrthankar (Hindi variant noun), tirthayatra (compound noun — pilgrimage), kevalin (related noun — one who has attained omniscience), Jina (synonym noun — the victorious one)

🔡 Root

Sanskrit tīrtha (ford, crossing point, holy bathing ghat; from tṝ = to cross) + kara (maker, from kṛ = to do/make) → 'maker of the ford'

📜 Etymology

Sanskrit compound of tīrtha (a ford, a crossing, a sacred bathing place — from the verbal root tṝ, to cross, to transcend, cognate with Latin trans) and kara (maker, doer, from kṛ — to do, make). The metaphor renders the Tirthankara as one who creates a 'ford' through the ocean of rebirth, making it passable for others. The concept appears in the earliest Jain canonical texts (Agamas) and the term is specific to Jain theology, distinguishing it from the Buddha's different soteriological metaphor.

🧠 Memory Hook

TĪRTHA-KARA: TĪRTHA = holy FORD (river crossing), KARA = MAKER. The Tirthankara makes a ford across the river of rebirth. Picture 24 saints building stepping-stones across a raging river of samsara so you can cross.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Indus Valley Civilization (Mature phas...

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