Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1997 11 YJA Regional Convention

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

Page 25

Ordinary-kevali: The only difference between Tirthankara and ordinary-kevali is that the latter does not establish the religious order. He remains in the state of perfect blissful condition for the rest of his life after attaining Keval-jnan.
In the religious scriptures the name Arihantas and Tirthankaras are interchangeably used because ordinary-kevalis do not play any active roles in the religious order.
Siddha: All Tirthankaras and ordinary-kevalis destroy their remaining four Aghati karmas, and attain liberation at the end of their present life. After their nirvan (death) all of them are known as Siddhas. They are totally free. They are free from the birth and death cycle. They do not possess body. They do not feel pleasure and pain, or joy and sorrow. They live in an ever lasting blissful condition at the top of the universe (Lokakas) known as Moksha.
The quality and attributes of all siddhas are same. However, they still maintain their unique entity.
Example: Lord Mahavir's soul as a siddha has the same qualities as Shri Gautam Swami or Shri Bahubali but their souls are unique individual and have different forms.
Both Arihants (Tirthankaras and ordinary-kevalis) and Siddhas are considered Gods of Jain religion. Arihats are perfect human beings and preach the Jain religion to the people during their remaining life. After death they become Siddhas. All Siddhas are perfected souls, living forever in a blissful state in Moksha.
Question: In the Namokar Mantra we pray to the Arihants (Tirthankara) first and then to the Siddhas second. Even though the Siddhas are perfected souls, have destroyed all (both Ghati and Aghati) Karmas, and at a higher spiritual stage. While the Arihantas have destroyed only four Ghati Karmas and are at a lower (thirteen) spiritual stage.
Answer: It is because Arihants after attaining keval-jnana (after destroying four ghati-karmas), establish the four fold order of Jain religion. They preach the Jain philosophy, ethics and conduct. They explain the path of liberation and the qualities of the perfected soul or Siddhas. Without the teachings of Arihantas we would not have known Siddhas or liberation. For this reason we pray Arihantas first and Siddhas second.