A mottled red sandstone head of a Jina, India, 11th/12th century CE

sensitively carved in soft mottled red sandstone with heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes opened in a steady gaze, defined arching brows, pursed lips set in a gentle smile, elongated ears, and tightly curled hair radiates the vital energy of early Kushan sculpture from the Mathura region. In Jainism, a Tirthankara (Sanskrit: tīrthaṅkara; English: literally a 'ford-maker') is a savior and spiritual teacher of the dharma (righteous path). The word Tirthankara signifies the founder of a tirtha, which is a fordable passage across the sea of interminable births and deaths, the saṃsāra. According to Jains, a Tirthankara is a rare individual who has conquered the saṃsāra, the cycle of death and rebirth, on their own and made a path for others to follow. After understanding the true nature of the Self or soul, the Tīrthaṅkara attains Kevala Jnana (omniscience), and the first Tirthankara refounds Jainism. Tirthankara provides a bridge for others to follow the new teacher from saṃsāra to moksha (lib