Jain Dharmna 24 Tirthankar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Dharmna 24 Tirthankar" by Gunvant Barvalia:

Book Title: Jain Dharmna 24 Tirthankar (The 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism) Author: Gunvant Barvalia Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir

This book serves as a detailed exploration of the lives, teachings, and significance of the 24 Tirthankaras in Jainism. The author, Gunvant Barvalia, presents inspiring and engaging narratives that aim to provide spiritual guidance and solutions to life's challenges for the readers.

Key Themes and Content:

• Inspiration from Great Souls: The author emphasizes that the lives of great personalities, particularly the Tirthankaras, are inherently inspirational. Even small incidents from their lives can offer solutions to personal life's questions.
• Rich and Motivating Lives: The lives of the 24 Tirthankaras are described as both interesting and carrying motivational messages. Their lives are portrayed as being adorned with beauty, courage, and simplicity.
• Overcoming Struggles: By reading their biographies, one can understand the struggles and hardships endured by the Tirthankaras to achieve their spiritual goals and become enlightened beings.
• Virtues of Tirthankaras: The lives of these "Yuga Purushas" (men of the era) are filled with penance, renunciation, tolerance, equanimity, and self-control.
• Guidance for Sadhakas: The grand and divine life stories of the Tirthankaras not only offer solutions to life's predicaments but also provide a new direction for spiritual seekers.
• Additional Details: The book includes extra information such as the kalyanaks (auspicious events in a Tirthankara's life), virtues, and atishayas (special powers or attributes) of the Tirthankaras.
• Acknowledgements: The author expresses gratitude to various individuals for their support, including P.P. Subodhikabai M.S. and P.P. Dr. Aarti Bai M.S. for reference, Prof. Dr. Rasikbhai Mehta and his wife Madhuben for their writing assistance, and Ashokbhai Shah of Navbharat Sahitya Mandir for publication.

Structure and Content Overview:

The book begins with an introduction to the concept of Tirthankaras, defining them as those who create and lead the tirth (spiritual path) and establish the fourfold Jain community (monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers). It clarifies that Tirthankara-hood is attained through specific karmic bonding.

The book then proceeds to detail the lives of each of the 24 Tirthankaras of the current avsarpini (descending) era. For each Tirthankara, the book typically covers:

• Previous Lives and Tirthankara-hood Attainment: Information about their previous births and how they acquired the Tirthankara nama-karma.
• The Current Era Context: Placing their lives within the framework of the current avsarpini era and its stages.
• Family Background: Details about their royal lineage, parents, and birthplaces.
• Birth and Naming: The circumstances surrounding their birth and the reasons behind their names.
• Marriage and Royal Life: Their lives as princes and kings, their marriages, and their rule.
• Renunciation and Asceticism: The events leading to their renunciation and the nature of their penance.
• Attainment of Kevala Jnana (Omniscience): The process and location of their enlightenment.
• The First Sermon and Establishment of the Tirth: The content of their first discourse and the establishment of the fourfold Jain community.
• Key Disciples and Followers: Information about their chief disciples (ganadharas), nuns (sadhvis), and lay followers.
• Guardian Deities: The yakshas and yakshinis associated with each Tirthankara.
• Kalyanaks: Details of their five auspicious events: Chyavana (conception), birth, renunciation, omniscience, and nirvana (liberation).
• Lifespan and Nirvana: Information about their age and the place of their liberation.

Specific Tirthankaras Covered (as evident from the provided pages):

The provided pages cover the first ten Tirthankaras in detail:

1. Shri Rishabhdev (Adinath) Bhagwan: The first Tirthankara, his role in establishing civilization, arts, and the societal structure.
2. Shri Ajitnath Swami: The second Tirthankara, his life and virtues.
3. Shri Sambhavnath Swami: The third Tirthankara.
4. Shri Abhinandan Swami: The fourth Tirthankara.
5. Shri Sumatinath Swami: The fifth Tirthankara.
6. Shri Padmaprabhu Swami: The sixth Tirthankara.
7. Shri Suparshwanath Swami: The seventh Tirthankara.
8. Shri Chandraprabh Swami: The eighth Tirthankara.
9. Shri Suvidhinath Swami (Pushpadant Swami): The ninth Tirthankara.
10. Shri Shitalnath Swami: The tenth Tirthankara.
11. Shri Shreyansanath Swami: The eleventh Tirthankara.
12. Shri Vasupujya Swami: The twelfth Tirthankara.
13. Shri Vimalnath Swami: The thirteenth Tirthankara.
14. Shri Anantnath Swami: The fourteenth Tirthankara.
15. Shri Dharmanath Swami: The fifteenth Tirthankara.
16. Shri Shantinath Swami: The sixteenth Tirthankara, also known as a Chakravarti.
17. Shri Kunthunath Swami: The seventeenth Tirthankara, also a Chakravarti.
18. Shri Aranath Swami: The eighteenth Tirthankara, also a Chakravarti.
19. Shri Mallinath Swami: The nineteenth Tirthankara, notable for being the only female Tirthankara.
20. Shri Munisuvrat Swami: The twentieth Tirthankara.
21. Shri Naminath Swami: The twenty-first Tirthankara.
22. Shri Neminath Swami (Arishtanemi): The twenty-second Tirthankara, related to Lord Krishna.
23. Shri Parshvanath Swami: The twenty-third Tirthankara, known for his compassion and the story of the serpent.
24. Shri Mahavir Swami: The twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of this era, the central figure of Jainism.

Additional Sections:

The book also includes important supplementary sections:

• Navkar Mahamantra: The fundamental mantra of Jainism.
• Logassa Sutra: A hymn praising the Tirthankaras.
• Names of the 24 Tirthankaras of the Current Era: A list of all 24 Tirthankaras.
• Names of the 20 Tirthankaras of the Next Era (Vihraman Chovisi): A list of Tirthankaras from the upcoming era.
• Kalyanak Aradhana Vidhi: Rituals and practices for observing the auspicious kalyanak days.
• Pilgrimage Sites: Details about pilgrimage sites related to kalyanaks in Uttar Pradesh.
• Virtues and Atishayas of Arhats: A description of the divine qualities and extraordinary attributes of the Tirthankaras.
• Brief Description of the 24 Tirthankaras: A concise overview of each Tirthankara.
• Benefits of Chanting Tirthankara Names: A section detailing the specific benefits associated with chanting the names of each Tirthankara.
• The Divine Realm of Compassion: A narrative that highlights the compassionate nature and impact of the Tirthankaras.
• Author's Introduction: A profile of Gunvant Barvalia, his background, literary contributions, and affiliations.
• List of Author's Books: A compilation of other works by Gunvant Barvalia.

In essence, "Jain Dharmna 24 Tirthankar" is a comprehensive devotional and informational work that aims to educate, inspire, and guide readers on the spiritual path by delving into the lives of the 24 Tirthankaras, who are considered the spiritual guides and founders of Jainism.