<P> 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 ) . In each half of the cosmic time cycle , exactly twenty - four tirthankaras grace this part of the universe . There have been an infinite number of tirthankaras in the past time periods . The first tirthankara in this present time cycle was Rishabhanatha , who is credited for formulating and organising humans to live in a society harmoniously . The 24th and last tirthankara of present half - cycle was Mahavira ( 599 -- 527 BC ) . History records the existence of Mahavira and his predecessor , Parshvanath , the twenty - third tirthankara . </P>
<P> 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 ) . In each half of the cosmic time cycle , exactly twenty - four tirthankaras grace this part of the universe . There have been an infinite number of tirthankaras in the past time periods . The first tirthankara in this present time cycle was Rishabhanatha , who is credited for formulating and organising humans to live in a society harmoniously . The 24th and last tirthankara of present half - cycle was Mahavira ( 599 -- 527 BC ) . History records the existence of Mahavira and his predecessor , Parshvanath , the twenty - third tirthankara . </P>
who is considered the first tirthankar in jain religion
who is considered the first tirthankar in jain religion
Rishabhanatha
Rishabhanatha