Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 81

TIRTHANKARS AS PATH-SETTERS Jain religion offers hope and equal opportunity to all souls irrespective of their life form. The 24 Tirthankaras have shown the way by blowing out all karmic impurities, becoming Omnicient while alive, and then reaching the exalted state of attaining Moksha and becoming Siddha. In common parlance, Tirthankars have been called 'JIN' or ‘Jinendra', i.e., conquerors of self. The popular form of social greeting among Jains is “Jai Jinendra'. This underlines the fact that human initiative and endeavour to seek purification of soul through weeding out of karmic bondage as per path shown by Tirthankars is central to the Jain world view. In common parlance, Tirthankars are addressed with reverence as Bhagwan, whose example can and needs to be emulated. The system expounded by JINAS has come to be called the Jain religion, and its adherents as JAINS. All Jains deeply adore all the 24 Tirthankaras, and offer their eulogy and respects in a variety of Pujas (worships). Mentioned below is the oft-recited reverential offering to them for their unique attributes as included in the Mangalacharan : Tubhyam namastribhuvanartiharaya natha, Tubhyam namah ksititalamalabhusanaya, Tubhyam namastirijagatah parameshvaraya, Tubhyam namo jina bhavodadhishoshanaya.
Lord, we bow to you, the eradicator of the misery of the three worlds; We bow to you the adorable ornament on the face of the Earth; We bow to you, the Lord of the three worlds; Omniscient Lord, we bow to you the destroyer of the
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A Portrait of Jain Religion