TĪRTHAṂKARAS. According to the Jains, one of the oldest religious communities in India, the Tīrthaṃkaras (called titthagaras in the Jain canon) are the prophets who periodically teach the world the truth of the imperishable Jain tradition; the term is almost equivalent to jina ("victor") or arhant ("saint"). The term tīrtha(ṃ)-kara refers literally to one who "builds the ford" that leads across the ocean of rebirths and suffering, and thus builds or renews the Jain fourfold community of monks and nuns, laymen and laywomen.

Twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras are said to appear at given periods in selected regions. As they are capable of ultimate spiritual perfection they are thus regarded as having more than a human status. Together with the cakravartins (universal sovereigns) and other such heroes, they form the class...