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RITUALS
DO2-Emblems, Dreams, Puja Rituals
According to Jainism, there are 15 regions in the universe where the possibility of Tirthankars exist. Out of these, 10 regions - 5 Bharat and 5 Airävat are such that the human behavior and natural conditions continuously changes and Tirthankars appear only during 3rd and 4th Äräs. The other five regions 5 Mahä-videha are such that the conditions are always conducive to have Tirthankar. At present, there exist four Tirthankars in each Mahä-videha Kshetra regions. Thus, there are a total of 20 Tirthankars preaching Jainism in Mahä-videha regions at present times. Shri Simandhar Swami is one of the 20 Tirthankars. In many Jain temples, an idol of Shri Simandhar Swami is installed which represents and reminds us that at present there are living Tirthankars preaching Jainism in the other part of the universe. This is also important since a soul can transmigrate and take a human birth in one of the Mahä-videha regions now and progress to reach liberation even though it is not possible to attain liberation in the present time in our region Bharat
Kshetra. Past and Future Tirthankars
There were twenty-four Tirthankars Chovisi in our region in the past Utsarpini half cycle of time. There will also be twenty-four Tirthankars in the next Utsarpini half cycle. The names of both past and future Tirthankars are clearly mentioned in our scriptures. There have been infinite such Chovisis in our Bharat Kshetra as well as Airävat Kshetra. In reality, there have been infinite number of Tirthankars in the past and there will be infinite numbers of Tirthankars in the future.
Tirthankar Stutis
There are many Stutis praising the qualities of Tirthankars in Jain literature. Following is the list of some popular Stutis. Logassa Ujjoyagare (Chatur Vinshati Stava) Sutra - This sutra is recited to offer obeisance to twenty-four Tirthankars. It consists of names of each Tirthankar and their qualities. Namutthunam (Shakra Stava) Sutra - This sutra is said to be composed by Indra, the Heavenly God in the praise of Arihantas (present and past). In this stuti, only their virtues are stated without any specific names of Tirthankars. Bhaktamar Stotra - This is most popular Stotra composed by Acharya Mänatunga Suri in praise of Tirthankar Rishabhdev. Änandghana Chovisi - Jain monk Shri Anandghanji who was a great poet has composed 24 Stutis
one stuti for each Tirthankar) in praise of twenty-four Tirthankars. Tirthankars, Symbols, And Color No. Name
Shvetämbar Digambar Symbol Color
Symbol Rushabhadev or Adinath Bull
Bull
Gold Ajitnäth
Elephant Elephant
Gold Sambhavnath
Horse Horse
Gold Abhinandan Swami Monkey
Monkey
Gold Sumatinäth Curlew Bird *Red goose
Gold
(Chakvä) Padmaprabha Swami Red Lotus Red Lotus Supärshvanath
Swastika Swastika
Gold/Green* Chandraprabha Swami Crescent Moon Crescent Moon White Suvidhinäth or
Crocodile Crocodile
White Pushpadanta 10 Shitalnäth
Shrivatsa *Kalpa-vruksha
Gold 11 Shreyansnäth Rhinoceros Rhinoceros
Gold 12 Väsupujya Swami Buffalo
Buffalo
Red
Red
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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