________________
XXXII : SĀRĀVALĪ PRAKIRNAKA
tirtha.. In other words, one who founds and establishes tīrtha or the social order of the faith in which its followers can practice it unhindered is Tīrthaikara. Thus, the concepts of Tīrtha and Tīrtharikara are interrelated to each other and are the life-stream of the Jaina faith.
The General Meaning Of Tīrtha In The Jaina Faith -
The Jaina masters have deliberated on the concept of Tīrtha in detail. Explaining the etiological origin of the word “Tīrtha', it has been said – “Tīryate aneneti tīrthah??. Meaning - the place from where one can ford (the worldly chasm) is Tīrtha. Thus, generally the river-banks and ocean-shores from where the journeys or voyages to ford them were started were said to be Tīrthas. The Māgadha tīrtha, Varadāna tirtha and Prabhasa tīrtha, mentioned in the Jaina canonical text *Jambudvipaprajñapti' carry this meaning''.
The Symbolic Meaning Of Tīrtha
Symbolically the Jaina masters have interpreted the word “Tīrtha', thus - "what helps in fording the ocean of worldliness is Tīrtha and the one who establishes such a Tīrtha is Tirtharkara. In short, the very path leading to spiritual emancipation and final deliverance (Moksa-mărga) has been called "Tīrtha'. In Višesāvasyaka Bhāsya, the famous commentary on Avasyakasū tra by Jinabhadra Gani Ksamásramana, the words - Śrutadharma (the faith of the word of Jina), Sadhană-mārga (the path of spiritual practice), Pravacana (the holy and liberating
12 a, Abhidhāna Rajendra Kosa, Pt. IV, p. 2242.
b. Sthānänga Tīkā. 13 Jambudvi
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
