A History of Indian Literature v2.c20.s2.86

v2.c20.s2.86

² According to the hagiology of the Jainas, there are 24 Tīrthakaras, "preparers of the path," also called Jinas, "victors" of whom Ṛṣabha was the first and Mahāvīra the last. All of them possessed perfect knowledge (kevalajñāna), and ever again proclaimed anew the religion which had sunk into corruption. With the Digambaras, the 19th Tīrthakara is a man, Malli, like all the others, but according to the Śvetāmbaras, a woman, Mallī. *Cf.* Mrs. *Stevenson*, Heart of Jainism, p. 50 ff., 56 f.; H. v. *Glasenapp*, Der Jainismus, p. 247 ff., 284 and in Festgabe Jacobi, p. 337.