A report on Mahavira, Jainism and Avasarpiṇī

Statue of Mahavira meditating in the lotus position at Shri Mahavirji, Rajasthan, India.

The hand symbolizes Ahiṃsā, the wheel dharmachakra, the resolve to halt saṃsāra (transmigration).

Mahavira in Padmasana meditation posture

Classification of Saṃsāri Jīvas (transmigrating souls) in Jainism

Jaina units of time on a logarithmic scale

Ancient kingdoms and cities of India at the time of Mahavira

Lord Neminatha, Akota Bronzes (7th century)

Jain miniature painting of 24 tirthankaras, Jaipur, c. 1850

The birth of Mahavira, from the Kalpa Sūtra (c.1375–1400 CE)

Jain temple painting explaining Anekantavada with Blind men and an elephant

Lord Mahavira's Jal Mandir (water temple) in Pawapuri, Bihar, India

A Jain monk in meditation, wearing the characteristic white robe and face covering

The "Charan Paduka" or foot impression of Mahavira at Jal Mandir

Nishidhi stone, depicting the vow of sallekhana, 14th century, Karnataka

Folio from the Kalpa Sūtra, 15th century

Praying at the feet of a statue of Bahubali

Jain worship may include ritual offerings and recitals.

Celebrating Das Lakshana (Paryushana), Jain Center of America, New York City

Mahavira iconography is distinguished by a lion stamped (or carved) beneath his feet; a Shrivatsa is on his chest.

alt=See caption|Rock-cut sculpture of Mahavira in Samanar Hills, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Rock-cut sculpture of Mahavira in Kalugumalai Jain Beds, 8th century

A symbol to represent the Jain community was chosen in 1975 as part of the commemoration of the 2,500th anniversary of Mahavira’s nirvana.

alt=See caption|Tallest known image of the seated Mahavira, Patnaganj

Rishabhdev, believed to have lived over 592.704×1018 years ago, is considered the traditional founder of Jainism.

alt=See caption|Four-sided sculpture of Mahavira in Kankali Tila, Mathura

The ruins of Gori Jain temples in Nagarparkar, Pakistan, a pilgrimage site before 1947.

alt=Two nude statues|Tirthankaras Rishabhanatha (left) and Mahavira, 11th century (British Museum)

alt=Mahavira, seated|Temple relief of Mahavira, 14th century (Seattle Asian Art Museum)

alt=See caption|Relief of Mahavira in Thirakoil, Tamil Nadu

16-foot, 2-inch stone statue of Mahavira in Ahinsa Sthal, Mehrauli, New Delhi{{sfn|Titze|1998|p=266}}|alt=Large outdoor statue of Mahavira, with a seated worshipper for scale

alt=See caption|Mahavira statue in Cave 32 of the Ellora Caves

Mahavira inside Ambapuram cave temple, 7th century

alt=Dharmachakra temple|Dharmachakra temple in Gajpanth

Saavira Kambada Basadi, Moodbidri, Karnataka

Mahavir Swami at Manilaxmi Tirth, Gujarat

Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of Jainism.

- Mahavira

Avasarpiṇī is the descending half of the cosmic time cycle in Jainism and the one in which the world is said to be at present.

- Avasarpiṇī

Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four Tirthankaras (supreme preachers of Dharma), with the first in the current time cycle being Rishabhadeva, whom the tradition holds to have lived millions of years ago; the twenty-third tirthankara Parshvanatha, whom historians date to 9th century BCE; and the twenty-fourth tirthankara, Mahavira around 600 BCE.

- Jainism

Duḥṣama-suṣamā (read as Dukhma-sukhma) – The fourth period was the age of religion, where renunciation, austerity and liberation were possible. The 63 Śalākāpuruṣas, or the illustrious persons who promote the Jain religion, regularly appear in this ara. The remaining 23 Tīrthaṅkars, including Lord Māhavīra, appeared in this ara.

- Avasarpiṇī

According to Jain cosmology, 24 Tirthankaras have appeared on earth; Mahavira is the last Tirthankara of Avasarpiṇī (the present time cycle).

- Mahavira

Thus, it divides the worldly cycle of time into two half-cycles, utsarpiṇī (ascending, progressive prosperity and happiness) and avasarpiṇī (descending, increasing sorrow and immorality).

- Jainism

2 related topics with Alpha

Tirthankara

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Tirthankara images at Siddhachal Caves inside Gwalior Fort.

Auspicious dreams seen by a tirthankara's mother during pregnancy

Samavasarana of Tirthankara Rishabha (Ajmer Jain temple)

Tirthankars of present, previous and next cosmic ages (72 in total)

Jain chaumukha sculpture at LACMA, 6th century

In Jainism, a Tirthankara (Sanskrit: ; English: literally a 'ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the dharma (righteous path).

In Jain cosmology, the wheel of time is divided in two halves, Utsarpiṇī or ascending time cycle and avasarpiṇī, the descending time cycle (said to be current now).

The 24th and last tirthankara of the present half-cycle was Mahavira Swami Ji (599 BC–527 BC).

Idol of Lord Rishabhdeva at Palitana Tirth, Gujarat

Rishabhanatha

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Rishabha with mother Marudevi at Palitana

Janma kalyāṇaka from the Kalpa Sutra, c. 14th–15th Century CE

Ruins of ancient Jain settlement from 2nd century BCE in Kankali Tila, Mathura depicting the scene of Nilanjana's Dance from life of Lord Rishabhdeva.

Statuary representing meditation by Rishabhanatha in Kayotsarga posture. (Photo:Ajmer Jain temple)

Rishabhanatha's moving over lotus after attaining omniscience

Mount Kailash or Ashtapad, the Nirvana place of Rishabhdeva.

Svetambara iconography of Rishabhanatha, in which he is identified by the bull stamped or carved below his feet. On the center of his chest is a shrivatsa.

Carving at Ambika Gumpha, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, 2nd century BCE

The famous 15 ft "Bade Baba" idol at Bade Baba temple, Kundalpur

Statue of Ahimsa, Maharashtra, {{convert|108|feet}}

Bawangaja, Madhya Pradesh, {{convert|84|feet}}

The {{convert|58.4|feet}} colossal at Gopachal Hill

The {{convert|45|feet}} tall rock cut idol at Chanderi

{{convert|31|feet}} statue made up of Ashtadhatu, Trilok Teerth Dham

The {{convert|25|feet}} idol at Dadabari, Kota

Ranakpur Jain temple, Ranakpur, Rajasthan

Adinatha temple, Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Rishabhanatha, also ' (ऋषभदेव), Rishabhadeva, ' or Ikshvaku is the first Tīrthaṅkara (Supreme preacher) of Jainism and establisher of Ikshvaku dynasty.

Along with Mahavira, Parshvanath, Neminath, and Shantinath; Rishabhanath is one of the five Tirthankaras that attract the most devotional worship among the Jains.

Its "Universal History" divides the cycle of time into two halves (avasarpiṇī and utsarpiṇī) with six aras (spokes) in each half, and the cycles keep repeating perpetually.