24 Characters Of Tirthankara

The book "The Characters of 24 Tirthankara" by Harshshilvijay and Kulshilvijay, published by Aatmashreya Prakashan, is a pictorial guide to the lives of the 24 Tirthankaras in Jainism. The book aims to educate young readers about the profound principles and lives of these spiritual guides.

Key themes and information presented in the book:

• Jain Principles: The book begins by highlighting the core Jain principles of non-violence, non-accumulation, and subjectivity. It emphasizes that Jainism teaches about the soul's eternal nature and its liberation from karma.
• Misconception about Mahavir Swami: The text addresses a common misconception that Mahavir Swami is the founder of Jainism, clarifying that 23 other Tirthankaras achieved salvation before him.
• Jain Time Cycles: The book briefly explains Jainism's unique calculation of time, describing the cyclical nature of time with ascending (Utsarpini) and descending (Avasarpini) periods.
• The Role of Tirthankaras: Tirthankaras are presented as spiritual leaders who guide humanity toward liberation. The book details the lives and previous births of the Tirthankaras to illustrate their spiritual journey.
• Previous Births and Karma: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to narrating the past lives of each Tirthankara. These stories emphasize the law of karma, showing how actions in past lives influence future births, including the attainment of Tirthankar Namkarma (the karmic deed that leads to becoming a Tirthankara). The narratives often involve themes of renunciation, devotion, virtue, and overcoming worldly attachments and adversities.
• Pictorial Representation: The book's emphasis on being "pictorial" suggests that it uses illustrations to depict the events, characters, and spiritual concepts, making the teachings more accessible and engaging, especially for children.
• Dedication and Sponsorship: The book is dedicated to venerated Jain Acharyas and sponsored by individuals, indicating community support for spreading Jain knowledge.
• Purpose: The book was created to translate the teachings and lives of the Tirthankaras into English for children, making Jain philosophy accessible to a wider audience, particularly the younger generation, in a visually appealing format.

The provided text details the births, previous lives, teachings, administrations, and ultimate salvation (Nirvana) of each of the 24 Tirthankaras, starting with Adinath Swami and concluding with Mahavir Swami. It provides specific details about their lineage, the marks on their bodies, their families, the number of disciples, and the duration of their lives and spiritual practice. The stories are rich with moral lessons, emphasizing the consequences of actions (karma) and the path to spiritual liberation through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.