In Jainism, a tirthankara (Sanskrit ) is an omniscient teacher who preaches the dharma (righteous path). The word Tīrthaṅkara signifies the founder of a tirtha which means a fordable passage across a sea. The Tirthankara show the 'fordable path' across the sea of interminable births and deaths. According to Jains, the Jaina teachings are gradually forgotten. Then, a rare individual is born who at some point in his life renounces the world to conquer the saṃsāra (the cycle of death and rebirth) on his own. After, performing Jaina penance the Tīrthaṅkara attains omniscience and refounds Jainism. Tirthankara provides a bridge for others to follow them from saṃsāra to moksha (liberation).

In Jainism, a tirthankara (Sanskrit ) is an omniscient teacher who preaches the dharma (righteous path). The word Tīrthaṅkara signifies the founder of a tirtha which means a fordable passage across a sea. The Tirthankara show the 'fordable path' across the sea of interminable births and deaths. According to Jains, the Jaina teachings are gradually forgotten. Then, a rare individual is born who at some point in his life renounces the world to conquer the saṃsāra (the cycle of death and rebirth) on his own. After, performing Jaina penance the Tīrthaṅkara attains omniscience and refounds Jainism. Tirthankara provides a bridge for others to follow them from saṃsāra to moksha (liberation).