In Jainism there are twenty¬-four Jinas – meaning ‘liberator’ or ‘conqueror’, also called Tirthankara – meaning ‘forder’, referring to crossing over to liberation from earthly ties. They had attained enlightenment by performing severe austerities, as well as preaching and not injuring any living being. They provided all creatures with the means to liberate the soul from the confines of the body and release from the eternal cycle of rebirth.The Jina stands in the posture of kayotsarga or body abandonment posture. It is an austere form of meditation.The Jina’s nakedness indicates it is from the Digambara sect of Jainism, and illustrates his past renunciation of earthly material comforts. He cannot be identified as a specific Jina due to a lack of attributes.
