in jainism, a tirthankara (sanskrit "tīrthaṅkara") is an all knowing teaching god who teaches the path to liberation from the cycle of births and deaths, called "saṃsāra". according to jains, over time, jain teachings are gradually forgotten. then, a rare individual is born who at some point in his life renounces the world to conquer the "saṃsāra", the cycle of death and rebirth, on his own. after "tirthankara" attains "kevala jnana" (omniscience) he refounds jainism. tirthankara provides a bridge for others to follow him from "saṃsāra" (worldy existence) to "moksha" (liberation).