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Bhagawan Mahavir /
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tin is similar to that of another Chakravartin. This also holds true in the case of the Heroes. The virtues of these Shalaka Purushas too are almost similar, and the same thing can be said of the great events taking place in the life of each.
It is, therefore necessary to know a brief account of the life of these 63 great personalities before coming to the history of the Jain world.
THE TWENTY FOUR TIRTHANKARAS
In the Jain religion, the Tirthankaras are regarded as high souls who are born to wash away the filth and corruption brought in to the fundamental principles of religion by men of devilish nature and inferior understanding, and to save and re-establish Religious Faith in the world. The mundane souls are inspired by the ambrosial instructions and ideal conduct of these Great Men; and they get an easy access to the faith.of Liberation by acting according to their teachings. The Europeans explain the word 'Tirthankara' as 'Saviour' or 'Redeemer', that is, one who has undertaken to rescue those people who are being drowned into the ocean of the world or to liberate those who have fallen into a succession of births and death. The Jains explain it as The High Soul, that brings into existence the fourfold “Tirtha' i. e., the order consisting of Monks, Nuns, Laymen and Lay women. But, when we come to its derivation, we find that the word "Tirthankara' means ( Tirtham+ Kar=Holy+maker ) one who makes others holy. By their Belf-denial, good conduct, high thinking, strong will power, sweet and beneficent teachings, kindness to all creatures man and beast alike, supreme feeling of love and affection to
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