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108 Attributes of the Five Supreme Beings Jains respect and worship the qualities of five very worthy personalities and they are known as Pancha Paramesthi, namely, Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sädhu and Sadhvis (all ascetics). Jains do not worship them by name, but they worship their qualities and virtues known as attributes. There are a total of 108 attributes of the five supreme beings. Both Shvetämbar and Digambar traditions define 108 attributes, but there are some differences. The Jain Mälä or rosary has 108 beads, which signify the 108 attributes of the five supreme beings. The 108 attributes are as follows:
Pancha Paramesthi Number of Attributes Arihanta or Tirthankar Siddha Acharya Upadhyay Sädhu
108
Total
Arihanta or Tirthankar Arihantas have 12 unique characteristics as follows: • The four main attributes are known as Atishaya.
The other eight attributes are endowed by heavenly beings at the time of Keval-jnän and are known as Pratihärya.
Four Main Attributes or Four Atishaya Vachana A Tirthankar delivers an extraordinary sermon. Atishaya Jnän
The sermon delivered by a Tirthankar is well Atishaya understood by all human beings, animals, and
heavenly beings in their respective languages. Pujä
A Tirthankar is worshipped by all mundane souls of Atishaya the whole universe. Apäyäpgamä No calamities or diseases are present in the vicinity Atishaya of a Tirthankar.
Note - Some Jain literature indicates that Infinite Knowledge, Infinite Perception, Perfect Conduct, and Infinite Energy (the four Anant Chatushtay) are the four main attributes rather than above mentioned four Atishaya. Eight Pratihärya - Endowed by Heavenly gods Simhasan
A divine seat from where Arihanta delivers his
sermon. Bhämandal A halo behind Arihanta's head is always
present. Chämar
Heavenly beings wave diamond studded fans
(Chämar) to honor Arihanta's greatness. Chhatra Traya A three tier divine umbrella over the head of a
Arihanta is always present, which suggests that the Tirthankar is the king of the entire universe that consists of three regions - Heaven, Hell,
and Earth. Ashok Vruksha The Ashok tree under which Arihanta sits to
deliver sermons. Pushpa Vristi A continuous shower of fragrant flowers. Deva DundubhiA divine announcement declaring Arihanta's
