Tirthankar Parichay - Qualities, Facts | Future 24 Tirthankars and More..

There have been an infinite number of Tirthankars in the past. Yet, the number is so minuscule compared to the total number of living beings. In our universe, there are currently 20 living Tirthankars, with 4 residing in our own Jambudweep, 8 in Ghatikhand, and 8 in Ardh-Pushkarvadweep.

All Tirthankars are Keval Gyani's, but not all Keval Gyani's are Tirthankars. Even though a Keval Gyani is as knowledgeable and can see part present and future of everything exactly like a Tirthankar, several other qualities differentiate a Tirthankar. 

Tirthankaras possess unparalleled physical strength, even from childhood. To get some idea of their physical strength, let's draw an example. Lions are one of the strongest in terms of physical strength. The strength of 2,000 lions is equal to the strength of 1 Ashtpad (an eight-limbed monstrous dinosaur-like animal). A Baldev is as strong as 10 lakh Ashtpads. The strength of 2 Baldevs is equal to the strength of 1 Vasudev. A Chakravarti is as strong as 2 Vasudevs. A celestial being is as strong as 10 lakh Chakravartis. Indra (a king of celestial beings) is as strong as 10 lakh celestial beings. Infinite Indras together cannot move the Chitli (Kanishthika) finger (the smallest finger) of a Tirthankar.

Do you know the 20 Reasons why/how a Soul Can Become a Tirthankar in the Future? Tirthankars possess special qualities, unmatchable physical strength, and are supreme in every aspect. Listing below some of the unique attributes, aspects, and facts related to Tirthankar Bhagwan, 20 reasons of how a soul attracts Tirthankar naam karma, 10 qualities Tirthankars have at birth:

1. The immediate previous bhav of a Tirthankar is either a Dev or a Narki, so they either come from heaven or hell in their last human life.
2. Tirthankar Naam karma is bound 3 Bhavs before their Tirthankar Bhav. After the Tirthankar's naam karma is bound, the jeev doesn't take birth in the Tiryanch, and Lower Heavenly Abodes like Bhawanpati, Vyantar, or Jyotish Dev form.
3. Humans residing during 1,2,6 Aras of Avasarpini Kaal Chakra (descending cycle) cannot bind Tirthankar Naam Karma. Currently, we are in the 5th Ara of Avasarpini kaal at Bharat Kshetra, so there is a possibility of binding Tirthankar naam karma here currently. Humans residing during 1,2,5, 6 Aras of Utsarpini Kaal Chakra (ascending cycle) cannot bind Tirthankar Naam Karma.
4. When a Tirthankar soul attains Keval Gyaan, 10 miracles/atishay happen 1) their bodies don't cast any shadows anymore 2) they don't blink or close eyes  3) their hairs & nails don't grow and remain the same 4) they can travel in the sky (without touching the ground) 5) they don't need any food for sustenance 6) there is prosperity/ no drought etc in a radius of 100 yojanas around them 7) their face is visible from all directions 8) they don't disturb or hurt any living beings 9) there is "no upsarg" on them after attaining Keval Gyaan and 10) they become master of all sciences and skills prevailing in the universe
5. There are 10 special attributes in Tirthankars' bodies right from birth: 1) Perfect symmetry 2) Unmatchable Strength 3) No sweat 4) No excretion 5) Extreme visual beauty 6) 1008 auspicious sign or symbols in their bodies; for example they bear a distinctive birthmark on their right thigh, this symbol is replicated on the base of the idol to identify the specific Tirthankar (eg Rishabhdev Bhagwan had a sign of  a bull on his right thigh) 7) Very pleasant fragrance 8) Sweet and beneficial speech 9) White milk like blood and 10) Strong structure
6. Tirthankars' bodies never turn old; they have only two phases, child and youth, from a physical body perspective. The heavenly beings or Devtas are always Youthful, Naraki's or Hellish beings are always in Old Age body form, and Humans can have all three child, youth, and old age forms.
7. At a minimum, there are 20 Tirthankars always present in the universe in human form (currently that is the situation), and at most, there can be 170 Tirthankars simultaneously present in a living human body form in the universe (1 each in 5 Bharat Kshetras, 1 each in 5 Airavat Kshetras, and 160 from 5 Mahavideh Kshetras, each Mahavideh Kshetra has 32 divisions, and each of the divisions can have 1 Tirthankar, so 5 * 32 = 160; So 5 + 5 + 160 = 170)
8. There are 20 Reasons How a Soul Can Attract Tirthankar Nam Karma 1) Worship/Admiring of the Arihant Bhagwan 2) Worship/Admiring of the Siddh Bhagwan (Liberated Souls) 3) Full faith in discourses and following five rules of conduct (5 Samitis) and three rules of avoidance of Misconduct (3 Guptis)  4) Worship/Admiring of the spiritual guru 5) Worshipping the jain ascetics 6) Worship of the spiritual scholar (one who knows Agaams) 7)  Worship/Admire of those who indulge in penance (the significance of "Anumodna") 8) Applying spiritual knowledge for maximum possible time 9)  Moving towards right perception, right knowledge, right conduct (Samkiti) - always aspiring and moving towards these 10) Vinay Bhaav (Being respectful, polite, humble) 11)  Practice the six essentials: Samayika, Chauvisattho,Vandana, Pratikraman, Kayotsarga,Tapasya Pachchakhan 12) Observe all the vows(Pachkhan) and codes of conducts with ever increasing indulgence 13) Practicing Detachment to attain Moksha 14) Practice penance with all intensity, determination in all conditions 15) Give  importance and respect the four-fold order (Chaturvidha Sangh) 16) Look after and take care of the Sadhu/Sadhvi 17) Enhance knowledge regularly, learn scriptures 18) Have faith on the sermons of Bhagwan, Sadhu; and spread their message 19) Give charity to the deserving and 20) Devotion for Tirthankara’s sermons. A soul can bind Tirthankar Naam karma by at least following 1 of the above, or max all 20.
9. After attaining Tirthankar Naam Gotra, the jeev doesn't go in following Gunsthans at all: 1,2,3,5 and 11
10. Tirthankars have no Guru - they are 'Swayam Buddh', they bow to Siddh Bhagwan at the time of taking Diksha
11. Any jeev who gives daan to Tirthankar, would go to Moksha 100%
12. In Bharat & Airavat Kshetra, Tirthankars can take birth in only 3rd and 4th Aras. Their parents are Samyak Drishti Jeevs.
13. From birth, Tirthankars possess 3 Gyaans - Mati Gyaan, Shrut Gyaan, Avadhi Gyaan, and at the time of Diksha they attain 4th Manah Paryah Gyaan 
14. Tirthankar's Janam Utsav is celebrated by all 64 Indras with many other Devas at Meru Parbat
15. Tirthankars take birth during the night, attain keval gyaan during the day, and attain moksha any time of the day
16. In our Bharat Kshetra, in the future chaubisi, all 24 Tirthankars will attain Moksha from Girnar Ji
17. The devlok is currently filled with numerous souls who have attained Tirthankar naam karma and will become Tirthankars in near future (that number is even greater than the number of humans currently in their mother's womb)

In our current Chaubisi, all 24 Tirthankars' previous births were in higher heavenly realms (devlok), so all of them descended down on our planet from heaven. 

Future 24 Tirthankars of our Bharat Kshetra

However, when we look at the Future 24 Tirthankars on our planet, we find that Shri Krishna and King Shrenik are currently in Narak and would be Tirthankars in the next upcoming Chaubisi. Theer are so many Shravaks who did Tirthanka Naam Karma bandh. 

Some very familiar names like Karna from Mahabharat, Balram, Deviki Mata, etc, also will become Tirthankars soon. Below is the list of Future 24 Tirthankas and where they are currently (likely):

All our current 24 Tirthankars of this era descended on our planet from heavenly abodes:

The more we read about Tirthankars, their qualities, strengths, possibilities, and facts, hopefully it paves the way for our soul to one day become a Siddha. The best part is that we are currently in the 5th Ara of Bharat Kshetra, and even though no one can attain Moksha from here right now, there is still a possibility of achieving Tirthankar Naam Karma right here and now. Jai Jinendra!

Of all that is written here, whatever is correct has come from the Tirthankars and other teachers on the path of liberation. Whatever is incorrect is due to my ignorance and carelessness. Please forgive me for these.