WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -According to Jain belief each cosmic age produces its own group of 24 Tirthankaras, the first of whom-if it is an age of descending purity-are giants, but they decrease in stature and appear after shorter intervals of time as the age proceeds.

Detailed explanation-2: -The 24th and last tirthankara of the present half-cycle was Mahavira Swami Ji (599 BC–527 BC). History records the existence of Mahavira and his predecessor, Parshvanath, the twenty-third tirthankara.

Detailed explanation-3: -In Jainism, Tirthankaras are called the Jina or the conquerors of all instincts. There are 24 Tirthankaras. The term, ‘Tirthankara’ is a combination of ‘Teertha and ‘Samsara’. Teertha is a pilgrimage site and samsara is the worldly life.

Detailed explanation-4: -Vardhamana Mahavira was the last tirthankara of the Jains. He was the 24th tirthankara who crossed the stream of reality.