tirthankara: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Technical, Religious
Quick answer
What does “tirthankara” mean?
A spiritual teacher in Jainism who has achieved enlightenment and helps others attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A spiritual teacher in Jainism who has achieved enlightenment and helps others attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
In Jain tradition, tirthankaras are revered as founders of the religious order, considered perfect beings who have conquered all passions and attained omniscience, often depicted in art and literature as guides to spiritual freedom.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling or usage; both varieties use the same term identically in religious and academic contexts.
Connotations
Same connotations in both dialects, associated with reverence, spirituality, and Jain theology.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, primarily encountered in religious studies, theology, or discussions of South Asian cultures.
Grammar
How to Use “tirthankara” in a Sentence
noun + of (e.g., tirthankara of Jainism)adjective + tirthankara (e.g., enlightened tirthankara)proper noun + tirthankara (e.g., Mahavira tirthankara)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, South Asian studies, and comparative religion courses.
Everyday
Rarely used outside specific religious, cultural, or educational discussions.
Technical
Used in Jain theology, philosophy, and historical texts to describe foundational figures.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tirthankara”
- Mispronounced with stress on the first syllable (e.g., /ˈtɜrθæŋkərə/) instead of the standard anglicized pronunciation.
- Misspelled as 'tirthankara' with an extra 'h' or confused with 'tirtha' (a Hindu pilgrimage site).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 24 tirthankaras in Jain tradition, with Mahavira being the most recent and well-known.
While both are enlightened teachers, tirthankaras are specific to Jainism and have distinct theological roles, such as being ford-makers rather than founders of a new religion.
In mainstream Jain theology, tirthankaras are traditionally male, but some sects and modern interpretations discuss female spiritual leaders, though not officially designated as tirthankaras.
It comes from Sanskrit, meaning 'ford-maker' or 'one who makes a crossing', symbolizing helping souls cross over the cycle of rebirth to liberation.
A spiritual teacher in Jainism who has achieved enlightenment and helps others attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Tirthankara is usually formal, technical, religious in register.
Tirthankara: in British English it is pronounced /tɪəθæŋˈkɑːrə/, and in American English it is pronounced /tɜrθæŋˈkɑrə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tirth' as in 'ford' (a shallow river crossing) and 'ankara' as in 'maker' – a ford-maker who builds a bridge for souls to cross over to enlightenment.
Conceptual Metaphor
Pathfinder or bridge-builder, symbolizing guidance across the river of samsara (cycle of rebirth) to spiritual liberation.
Practice
Quiz
What is a tirthankara in Jainism?