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**Introduction to Prajnapana: A Critical Study**
India is a fertile land of spirituality. Every particle here resonates with the melodious music of spirituality. Every atom is filled with the sweet nectar of philosophy. This sacred and virtuous land has given birth to such human gems who were the embodiments of religion and spirituality. Every beat of their hearts was a beat of spirituality. Their vast and pure thoughts provided a clear and pure perspective to understand the living being and the world, the soul and the Supreme Soul, religion and philosophy.
Twenty-four Tirthankaras were born on this spiritually dominant, virtuous land. They did not desire to be reborn again and again like the avatars of the Vedic tradition to uplift the people. Nor was it acceptable to them to be reborn again and again through Bodhisattvas like the Tathagata Buddha to infuse a new consciousness in human life. They did not believe in avatarism, they preferred Uttarabhava (liberation).
In the Jain tradition, the Tirthankaras hold the highest position. In the Namaskara Maha Mantra, the Tirthankaras-Arihants are saluted before the Siddhas. The Tirthankaras are as radiant as the sun. "Pricchesv ahiyam payasayara." They illuminate the soul of the world with their rays of knowledge. They are the strong representatives of their era. Like the moon, they are gentle. They are the ultimate restorers of humanity. The Tirthankaras are direct perceivers, knowers, and self-reliant. They preach only after attaining Kevalgyan (omniscience) and Kevaldarshan (omniscience). Their teachings are based on experienced truth. Their teachings and system are not bound by any tradition.
In the present Avasarpini (descending) time, the first Tirthankara on this sacred land was Rishabhdev. After him, twenty-two Tirthankaras were born, and then the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, Bhagwan Mahavira, was born. All the Tirthankaras had their own independent traditions. And their rule was independent. At the time of Shraman Bhagwan Mahavira, there were thousands of Shramans following the tradition of Bhagwan Parshvanath. When they entered the Sangha of Mahavira, they had to abandon the Chaturyam Sadhana-Paddhati (fourfold practice) of Bhagwan Parshvanath and accept the Panch Mahavrata Sadhana-Paddhati (five great vows). This makes it clear that the great personality and achievements of each Tirthankara are not bound to the tradition of any particular Tirthankara, although the fundamental principles and philosophy are eternal, remaining the same in all three times, because truth is eternal.
1. "Dhammatiththayar jin" - Samavayanga-12
2. Nandi Sutra, Pattavali-1118-19
3. Uttaradhyayana-23.23