Future 24 Tirthankar Naamgotra Bandh Analysis

This document, "Future 24 Tirthankara Naamgotra Bandh Analysis" by Darshan Bavisi, challenges a common understanding within Jainism regarding the future 24 Tirthankaras.

The core argument is that not all 24 future Tirthankaras have necessarily performed the specific karmic bonding (Naamgotra Bandh) for Tirthankara status in their past lives. This contradicts the prevalent belief that all 24 souls destined to become future Tirthankaras in Bharat Kshetra have already completed this bonding and are currently residing in their final Devlok (heavenly abodes) or Narak (hellish abodes) before their ultimate rebirth as Tirthankaras.

The author bases this analysis on time calculations, specifically the vast durations of the Jain cosmic eras (Kaal) and the lifespans within various Devlok and Narak. The text highlights the immense length of the fourth era (100 trillion Saagaropam) compared to the maximum lifespan in the highest Devlok (33 Saagaropam).

The analysis suggests that for many of the upcoming Tirthankaras, particularly those further down the line (from Tirthankara #13 to #24), the approximate time remaining for their birth is significantly longer than the maximum lifespan in any Devlok or Narak. This implies that these souls cannot have already completed the Tirthankara Naamgotra Bandh, as they would need to live numerous more lives, potentially performing the bonding in one of those future lives.

The document presents a table detailing each of the next 24 Tirthankaras, their known past lives ("Jiv of"), their "Currently where?" (referring to their current abode or the abode they will come from), their minimum and maximum lifespans in those abodes, and the "Approximate time remaining for birth." Based on these calculations, it flags "Valid or time mismatch" and definitively states whether the "Tirthankara Naam-gotra already done or not yet?"

Key findings and points include:

• Reinterpretation of "Currently where?": This column is interpreted to mean either the soul is currently in the stated abode or they will originate from that abode for their Tirthankara rebirth.
• Time Mismatches: The analysis points out "time mismatches" where the remaining time for birth is less than the minimum lifespan in a particular Devlok or Narak, indicating that the Tirthankara Naamgotra Bandh could not have been completed in that specific past life.
• Specific Tirthankaras: The analysis suggests that Tirthankara #12 (Shri Amam Ji, the soul of Vasudeva Krishna) might be the last one who has definitively completed the Naamgotra Bandh, though even here there's a slight time mismatch mentioned. For Tirthankaras #13 to #24, the author is certain they have not yet completed the bonding.
• Dilution of Knowledge: The author attributes the common misconception to the dilution of knowledge over vast periods of time, making it difficult to accept that many future Tirthankaras have not yet performed the critical karmic act.
• Purpose of the Analysis: The author states the objective is to bridge a gap in lost knowledge and bring the community closer to a more accurate understanding, even if the analysis is not entirely precise.

In essence, the book is a scholarly attempt to re-examine traditional Jain beliefs about the future Tirthankaras through a lens of rigorous time calculation, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of when and how these souls will achieve their ultimate status.