Who are Teerthankaras in Jainism?

Why is Lord Bahubali usually confused to be a Teerthankara?

Jainism as a religion, though a familiar name in India, is a less understood one. There isn’t much mainstream literature that can spread awareness about the religion and we can’t really blame anyone for being confused or mistaken about the tenets of Jainism. Here is a small attempt to resolve a common misconception that I have found people to harbour about Jainism – who are Teerthankaras?

(Please note that the term ‘Teerthankaras’ is not legitimate as I’ve pluralized the root word from an Indian language. I’m using it here for convenience.)

Many people familiar with Jainism are often confused with the term ‘Teerthankara’. It is a common misconception that all Digambara (skyclad) deities in Jainism are Teerthankaras and they are what we worship. Sure, pretty much everyone understands that they stand for non-violence and sacrifice, in adherence to which they gave up their worldly possessions and took the difficult path to salvation. The fundamental concept, however, encompasses much more than that.

Who are Jain deities?

Jain deities, though an elaborate concept much like Hinduism, can be categorized into three categories for basic understanding. Teerthankaras, Siddha parameshti and Yakshas & Yakshis form the largest part of the spectrum of deities worshipped by Jains. Teerthankaras and Siddha paramesthi are oretty much similar except for the fact that not all Siddha parameshti are Teerthankaras. Both forms are represented by skyclad idols and identified with small symbols attached to their chest (particularly Teerthankaras). They have attained salvation and are liberated from the cycle of life and death. They reside at a position named ‘Moksha’, which is a destination that all Jains are encouraged to head towards through good deeds and mindful living.

While Teerthankaras and Siddha Parameshti hear no prayers and answer none either, Yakshas and Yakshis are more powerful and impactful on the material plane of life. They are beings who attained ‘Deva gati’ through their karmic deeds and spend their lives in service of the Teerthankaras – but continue to be connected to humans and their prayers.

Who are Teerthankaras?

Teerthankaras are a distinct set of deities in Jainism marked by some stringent tenets. Their coming would be heralded by the scriptures and for every age, there are twenty four designated Teerthankaras. [Relevant article linked below]

The twenty four Teerthankaras are born to kings and queens at a time when there is more good in the world than bad. They go through designated phases of life before they obtain Deekshe – or sacrifice the worldly belongings and walk the painful path of penance towards salvation. They obtain enlightenment and eventually liberation from the cycle of birth and death – or Moksha – which is an eternally blissful state with no physical form, nor any karmic repurcussions.

Once they attain Moksha, they are completely detached from the material world and never return to it. Jainism believes every living being must aim for this state of being as it is the ultimate destination of the soul to be eternally blissful and free from the limitations of the material world. Moksha can only be attained when all eight forms of Karma attached to the soul are destroyed. Teerthankaras and Siddha Paramesthi have achieved this state.

It implies that Teerthankaras hear no prayers, nor grant any wishes. Despite the awareness of that, Jains continue to revere and worship them because through the practice of worship, we believe that their qualities are incorporated in us and we can perhaps embody at least fragments of their righteousness.

Are all skyclad deities in Jainism Teerthankaras?

The state of being skyclad is a part of the sacrifice that the Teerthankaras make when they take Deekshe. They renounce the material world completely and detach from it on physical, mental and emotional levels. They own nothing – including clothes or any basic amenities. They eat only if someone approaches them to feed them voluntarily.

However, the same applies to anyone who chooses the difficult path of salvation. When they renounce the worldly matters, their clothes go too. A number of individuals in the history of Jainism have chosen this path. Hence it can be clarified that not all skyclad deities/ people are Teerthankaras. The twenty four Teerthankaras have a distinct identity and are identified even before they were born – there can never be any additions to that list.

Who is Bahubali and why is he relevant?

Lord Bahubali was the son of the first Teerthankara of this era – Lord Adinatha. The famous story of Lord Adinatha’s two sons Bharata and Bahuali fighting each other and Bahubali renouncing the world out of guilt is taught in schools. Bahubali is a rather popular Jain deity because his tall monolithic sculptures are established in various parts of Karnataka and some parts of India.

The monolithic sculptures being popular tourist destinations have made Bahubali a well recognized Jain deity. The sculptures are skyclad, hence leading to the inaccurate conclusion that they are the same as any other Teerthankara statues situated and worshipped inside Jain temples. At first sight, they all look the same anyway.

The legend of Bahubali is an important part of Jain history. He fought his older brother and renounced his kingdom, walking the difficult path to salvation through penance for 12 years in a forest. He is immortalized in that very form – his statues can be seen with creepers around the body while he stands in a meditative state. His resemblance to the Teerthankara statues and the similarity in his journey in comparison to theirs has led to a lot of confusion that Bahubali is also a Teerthankara – while he isn’t.

Why is Bahubali not a Teerthankara?

Like mentioned before, Teerthankaras are kind of pre-designated, and born with certain distinct characteristics that I can probably elaborate upon in an upcoming post. Everyone knew the life decisions that they would make eventually and the destination they were bound for. Only twenty four of them are born in every era and Bahubali was not one of them. In fact, his father Lord Adinatha was one – the very first Teerthankara of this era at that. Bahubali was born a regular prince – albeit a physically large one (thus the name). He was not pre-destined for salvation like his father – but he made a choice and attained it.

Why is Bahubali more celebrated than Teerthankaras?

The confusion that Bahubali is a Teerthankara, like aforementioned, originates because Bahubali is more celebrated than any other Jain deities.  You don’t read the stories of any other Jain deities in text books, nor in story books. Nor do you see 40ft tall monolithic colossuses erected atop hills of any other Jain deities other than Bahubali. The statues are venerated with a grand Maha Mastakabhisheka ceremony every 12 years and he’s in the news when that happens.

So why is he so celebrated? It is because in this era, he attained Moksha even before his father Lord Adinatha did. Lord Adinatha, being a Teerthankara, renounced his kingdom and went to penance much before making Bharata king and well before the fight between Bharata and Bahubali. Yet, he had not attained Moksha. Bahubali on the other hand attained Moksha within 12 years of penance and is hence known as the ‘Prathama Mokshagaami’ of this era. Even though he wasn’t a Teerthankara, he surpassed his father, who was one, to Moksha.

The legend of Bharata and Bahubali, though quite familiar, is not known well enough and the monolithic statues in the state of Karnataka are more tourist sites than pilgrimages. While I don’t want to give this article an angle, I hope it finds the right audience and generates some genuine intrigue so that the next time you come across any references from Jain scriptures, you have some better understanding and respect for it. I write these articles purely out of self-interest and love for religious legends. I’ll appreciate insights and suggestions for further research.

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