1. Who is called Teerthankara ?
1. "तरंति संसार महार्णवं येन तत्तीर्थम्" i.e. By whose help the worldly ocean is crossed over, is 'Teertha' (landing place or river bank, bridge, etc. and its symbolic meaning is Religion) and initiator of this 'Teertha', (i.e. religion), is Teerthankara?
2. Religion means Right faith, Right knowledge, Right conduct, because worldly ocean is crossed over through these three, therefore these are called 'Teertha' and who preaches this 'Teertha' (religion), is called 'Teerthankara'.
2. How many 'Teerthankara' are there?
Infact, there had been infinite number of 'Teerthankaras' but in 'Bharat' & 'Airavat' regions 24 Teerthankaras are born gradually one after the other during fourth period of 'Avsarpini' (The half worldly time cycle period marked with reducing height, age, power, etc.) and during third period of 'Utsarpini' (ascending cycle of time marked with increasing height, age, power, etc.), i.e. 'Dushma-Sushma'.
3. How many 'Teerthankara' exist in Videha region ?
Well, 20 Teerthankara always exist in Videh region but there can be 160 Teerthankara at the most in all the five Videhas.
4. Enumerate the names of 24 Teerthankaras along with their emblems/marks of identification ?
5. At most how many Teerthankaras can exist simultaneously in two and half continent (Adhaidvipa) ?
At most 170 Teerthankara can exist in Adhaidvipa (160 in Videha 5 in Bharat 5 in Airavat).
6. Whether some time 170 Teerthankara existed simultaneously ?
It is heard that 170 Teerthankaras existed during time-period of Ajitnath Teerthankara.
7. How many auspicious events (Kalyanaka) take place of Teerthankaras ?
Five auspicious events take place of Teerthankaras - Conception, Birth, Initiation or pen ance, Omniscience and Salvation.
8. Whether Teerthankaras of all regions, i.e. of Bharat, Airavat and Videh are en dowed with five auspicious events ?
No, Teerthankaras of all Bharat and Airavat region are endowed with 5 auspicious events but in Videh Kshetra there are Teerthankaras of 2, 3 and 5 auspicious events, in two, the omniscience and salvation take place, whereas in three initiation, omniscience & salvation happen.
9. What are the pecularities of 'Teerthankaras' ?
- 'Teerthankaras' do not have beard, moustache. (Bodh Pahur, Teeka 32/98)
- 'Teerthankaras' do not drink mother's milk during their childhood but the Saudharma Indra (the Lord celestial deity) fills ambrosia in the thumb of their right hand after their birth-anointment which they suck and get grow.
- They accept food, clothes and ornaments only provided by the deities during their whole life (i.e. before initiation).
- 'Teerthankaras' are self-initiated (undertake religious initiation).
- There is no necessity for 'Teerthankaras' to go to temple during their childhood, as house-holder or even in the state of 'Muni'. They do not even meet any other 'Muni' during the state of house-holdership.
- Infernal beings of hell experience (feel) pleasure for some moments during Kalyanaks' of 'Teerthankaras'.
- 'Teerthankaras' bow only to 'Siddha Parmeshthi', therefore, they tell / pronounce 'Namaha Siddhebhya', i.e. 'I bow to Siddha'.
- Teerthankaras are endowed with 46 basic / fundamental virtues.
- The whole body of the Teerthankara is well proportionate, handsome & good looking.
10. Who fixes the emblem of 'Teerthankara'?
When Saudharama Indra (the Lord of deities) performs auspicious anointment of 'Child - 'Teerthankara' on the 'Pandukshila' at that time which emblem (mark) is seen on the toe of his right foot, he fixes that very emblem of that 'Teerthankara' as his emblem (symbol).
11. On what 'Shila' (stone) lustral bath (birth anoinment) of which 'Teerthankara' of which region is performed ?
Lustral bath (birth anointment) of 'Teerthankaras' of Bharat region is performed on 'Panduk Shila' that of Western 'Videha' region on 'Pandu Kambla Shila'; ofAiravat' region on 'Rakta Shila'; and of Eastern 'Videha' region on 'Rakta Kambla Shila'. (Triloksar, 633-634)
12. Which 'Teerthankara' was of what colour ?
In the oblation of 'Kirtrim-Akirtrim - Jin Chaitya' worship the colour of Teerthankaras has been described as thus -
द्वी कुन्देन्दु—तुषार—हार–धवलौ, द्वाविन्द्रनील-प्रभौ,
द्वौ बन्धूक-सम-प्रभौ जिनवृषौ, द्वौ च प्रियङ्गुप्रभौ ।
शेषाः षोडश जन्म-मृत्यु-रहिताः संतप्त-हेम-प्रभासम् ।
ते संज्ञान-दिवाकराः सुर-नुताः सिद्धिं प्रयच्छन्तु नः ।
Some poet has said in respect of colour of Teerthankaras
दो गोरे दो सांवरे, दो हरियल दो लाल।
सोलह कंचन वरण हैं, तिन्हें नवाऊँ भाल।
Two were of fair colour, Two darkish, two green,
Two were of reddish colour, golden were sixteen.
"Two were fair complexioned, two were dark complexioned, the two were greenish and two red, the rest sixteen were golden complexioned • Chandra Prabhu & Pushpadant - fair complexioned
- Munisuvratnath & Neminath - dark/Blue complexioned
- Padamprabha & Vasupujya - Red complexioned
- Suparshvanath & Parasvanath - Green complexioned
- Rest sixteen Teerthankaras - Gold/yellow complexioned.
13. Which 'Teerthankara' attained 'Moksha' (salvation) from which place ?
Rishabhdeva attained 'Moksha' from 'Kailash Mountain', Vasupujya Ji from 'Champapur', Neminath Ji from 'Girnar', Mahaveer Swami from 'Pavapur' & rest 'Teerthankaras' (20) from 'Sammed Shikhar Ji', the great place of pilgrimage.
14. Enumerate 'Teerthankaras' whose names begin from ‘37'alphabet ?
Adinath, Ajitnath, Abhinandannath, Anantnath, Arrnath and Ativeer (Mahaveer Swami).
15. Enumerate 'Teerthankaras' whose names begin with‘a' alphabet ?
Virshabhnath, Vasupujya, Vimalnath, Vardhaman.
16. Enumerate 'Teerthankaras' whose names begin from 'A''T' alphabet ?
Sambhavnath, Sumatinath, Suparshavanath, Suvidhinath, Shitalnath, Shreyamsanath, Shantinath & Sanmati.
17. How many 'Teerthankaras' are with symbols of one-sensed being ?
Four - Lotus of Padamprabhu, Moon of Chandra Prabhu, Kalpvraksha' (tree of paradise) of Shitalnath and Neel Kamal (Blue Lotus) of Naminath Ji.
18. Which of the Teerthankaras' symbol is two-sensed living being ?
Bhagwan Neminath's emblem is conch which is two-sensed.
19. How many 'Teerthankaras' are with symbols of inanimate (non-being) ?
Three - Swastika (an auspicious emblem/fylfot) of Suparshvanath, 'Vajradanda' of Dharmanathji, Pot (Kalash) of Mallinathji.
20. How many 'Teerthankaras' are with symbols of animate beings of five senses ?
Rest sixteen 'Teerthankaras' are with emblem of animate beings of five senses.
21. Tell symbols of those 'Teerthankaras' whose idols assume symbols of animals who carry luggage (load) ?
Ox of Rishabhdevaji, Elephant of Ajitnathji, Horse of Sambhavnathji and Buffalo of Vasupujayaji.
22. Tell the names of symbols of 'Teerthankaras' which live in water ?
Red Lotus, Crocodile, Fish, Tortoise, Blue Lotus, Conch and Serpent, these live in water.
23. Tell symbol of that one 'Teerthankara' whose body is with thorns ?
There are thorns in the body of Porcupine.
24. Who is that living creature among symbols of all the 24 "Teerthankaras" who runs fastest of all ?
The deer is the animal who runs fastest of all.
25. How many 'Teerthankaras' are there whose names begin with that first alphabet with which their symbol's names also begin with that very first alphabet ?
Virshava (Ox) of Virshavanathji (Adinath), Santhia (fylfot) of Suparshvanath, Neel Kamal (Blue Lotus) of Naminathji, Simha (Lion) of Sanmati, Moon (Chandrma) crescent of Chandraprabhji.
26. Who is that 'Teerthankara' who took birth on the day of "Akinchanya Dharama" (Ninth day of 'Paryushan Parva', the possessionlessness) ?
Veer (Mahaveer Swami).
27. Of how many Teerthankaras the marriage procession (journey of bridegroom to the bride's house) was taken out ?
Of Twenty 'Teerthankaras'.
28. What is the difference between 'Teerthankaras' and common Arihantas, the Omni scient lords ?
- Kalyanaks (auspicious events) are performed of 'Teerthankaras', not of common 'Arihantas'.
- There are symbols of Teerthankaras, not of common 'Arihantas'.
- Samavsaran' Assembly (the place of resonant preaching of Lord 'Teerthankara') for 'Teerthankaras' is held, no such assembly is held for common Arihantas. There is Gandh Kutil for other 'Arihantas'.
- There are 'Gandharas' (chief disciple) of 'Teerthankaras', not of common 'Arihantas'.
- "Teerthankaras' possess clairvoyance (Avadhijñāna) by birth, there is no such rule for common 'Arihantas'.
- 'Teerthankaras' are invested with knowledge of other's thought form (Manahparyay Jñāna) as soon as they take initiation, there is no such rule for common 'Arihantas'.
- 'Teerthankaras' are the only son of their respective mother, while common 'Arihantas' may have many brothers and sisters.
- None member of'Teerthankaras' family die until they remain as a house-holder, but there is no such rule for common 'Arihantas'.
- Precisely, possessors of male psychic libido (Purusa Bhav Ved) become Teerthankara but common Arihant can have any of the three psychic libido.
- Precisely, Teerthankaras have balanced formation of their body organs (Samacaturasra Samsthan) alone but common Arihant may have any of the six.
- There is only rise of praised (auspicious) spatial movement (Prashsta Vihayogati) of Teerthankara but any of the two can be of common Arihantas.
- There will be rise of only Karmic nature causing melodious tone (Susvara Namkarma Prakrti) of the physique making Karma of Teerthankaras whereas common Arihantas can have any of the two.
- The living being coming from the fourth hell can not become Teerthankara, but the common Arihantas can.
- The mother of 'Teerthankara' sees sixteen dreams, there is no such rule for common 'Arihantas'.
- The emblem of 'Shrivatsa' (a particular type of mark) on the chest of'Teerthankaras' necessarily remains as a rule. There is no such rule for common 'Arihantas'.
- "Divya Dhwani' (Omniscient's revelation in the form of 'Omkar' sound) of 'Teerthankaras' emerges (comes out) as a rule, there is no such rule for common 'Arihantas'.
29. How many kings took consecration alongwith which 'Teerthankaras"?
4000 kings took consecration with Adinathji, 676 with Vasupujayaji, 300 each with Mallinathji and Parshvanathji. Mahaveerji took consecration (initiation) all alone and the rest 'Teerthankaras' with 1000 kings each. (Tiloypannati 4/675-76)
30. Which 'Teerthankaras' took what food stuff for the first time after the fast ?
Adinathji took sugar-cane juice and the rest took milk and grains ,i.e. took many delicious food items made of milk and grains.
31. What was the complexion of donors who offered food to the 'Teerthankaras' for the first time after fast.
First two donors, i.e. king Shreyansa and king Brahmdatta were of golden colour (Suvarna) and last two, i.e. king Brahmdatta and king Kool/Nandan were dark-complexioned and all other donors were of heated golden complexion.
32. From which posture different 'Teerthankaras' moved upward to 'Moksha' (salva tion)?
Vrashabhnath, Vasupujaya and Neminathji (1,12,22) moved upward to 'Moksha' in sitting lotus-posture and rest all in standing posture but in Samavsaran' (place of resonant preach ing of Lord 'Teerthankaras') all 'Teerthankaras' sit in lotus-posture.
33. How many 'Teerthankaras' are there in whose 'Samavsaran' 'Aryikayen' (female ascetics) were less than 'Muni' ?
In the Samavsaran of 'Dharamnathji' and 'Shantinathji', Arikayen were less in number than Muni.
34. What was the expansion - range of the Samavsaran of each Teerthankara ?
Of Vrashabhnath - 12 yojan, then till Neminath 12 yojan each is to be subtracted / reduced for each Teethankara and in Parashwanath & Mahaveer 1/4 yojans each is to be reduced. Thus the Samavsaran of Parshwanath was of 1.25 yojan and that of Mahaveer it was of 1 yojan. (T.P., 4/824-25)
35. Which 'Teerthankara' left 'Samavsaran' before how many days for performing ces sation of activities of mind, speech and body (Yoga-nirodha) ?
Rishabhdeva left 'Samavsaran' for performing cessation of activities of mind, speech and body before 14 days, two days before Mahaveer Swami and rest all before one month.
36. Who took least time for attaining 'Kevaljñāna' (Omniscience) ?
Mallinath, who took only six days.
37. Which 'Teerthankara' took more time than others to attain 'Kevaljñāna' (Omniscience)?
Rishabhdeva took 1000 years to attain 'Kewaljñāna' (Omniscience).
38. Which 'Teerthankara' had the least number of 'Gandharas'?
Parasvanathji had only 10 'Gandharas'.
39. Which 'Teerthankaras' had greatest maximum number of 'Gandharas'?
Sumatinathji had greatest number, i.e. 116 'Gandharas'.
40. How many Gandharas were of all the Teerthankaras ?
There were total 1452 Gandharas of all the Teerthankaras.
41. Who (Teerthankar) had biggesst assembly of disciples?
Padamprabha had an assembly of 3,30,000 disciples.
42. Who had eulogized 'Teerthankara' by one thousands names and where?
'Saudharama Indra' eulogized 'Teerthankara' by one thousands names after attaining 'Kevaljñāna' (Omniscience) by the Teerthankara.
43. What are the names of five celebate Teerthankara from childhood ?
Vasupujaya Ji, Mallinath Ji, Neminath Ji, Parsvanath Ji and Mahaveer Swami Ji.
44. Enumerate names of 'Teerthankaras' who assumed three titles/ranks/positions ?
Shantinath Ji, Kunthunath Ji & Arrnath Ji. All these three Teerthankara were possessors of three ranks - Teerthankara, Chakravarti and Kamdeva.
45. Who 'Teerthankaras' suffered calamity during 'Muni' period ?
Suparshavanath Ji, Parashvanath ji & Mahaveer Swamiji.
46. The being who has bonded the karmic nature of 'Teerthankaras', in how many birth's he would move upward to 'Moksha'?
Living being with two or three 'Kalyanakas' would move upward to 'Moksha' in that very birth and that with five 'Kalyanaks' will take three birth for it.
47. Who bonds nature of 'Teerthankaras' and where ?
The man of the land of action (Karma Bhumi) bonds the nature of 'Teerthankaras' meditating 16 reflections and wishing welfare of the world sitting in the proximity of the foot of Kevali or Shrut Kevali (Shrut Kevali-saints well-versed in scriptural knowledge).
48. Why Teerthankaras, precisely, are twentyfour ?
When Acharya Somdeva was asked this question, his reply was - "There is no unusal / transcendental in this belief because there are many objects in this universe such as planets, constellations, sign of zodiacs, dates and stars whose number is fixed as per time - conjunction of planets. Teerthankaras are excellent of all hence, the conjunction of planets at the time of their birth should also be or remains excellent. Astrologers (including Late Dr. Nemichand ji of Aara) are of the opinion that such best of all time-conjunctions of planets happen to occur only 24 times during each Dushma-Sushma time-period of one Kalpa Kala in which Teerthankara take or can take birth. Incarnations of Vishnu are also 24. Buddhists and Chiristians also accept 24 Buddhas & 24 forefathers respectively.
49. How 720 Teerthankaras are called Tees Chaubisi (Thiry set of 24 Teerthankara)?
There are 5 Bharat & 5 Airavat regions in Adhaidvipa, i.e. equal to 10. In each of these regions there are 72 Teerthankaras each in all the three times (present, past, future). Hence 720 Teerthankaras are said in 10 regions concerning to all the three times.
