how many tirthankars are currently living

The 24 Tirthankars of the current time cycle (Avasarpini) are: 1. Rushabhadev (Ädinäth) — symbol: Bull 2. Ajitnäth — Elephant 3. Sambhavnäth — Horse 4. Abhinandan-swämi — Monkey 5. Sumatinäth — Curlew/Red Goose 6. Padmaprabha — Red Lotus 7. Supärshvanäth — Swastika 8. Chandraprabha — Crescent Moon 9. Suvidhinäth (Pushpadanta) — Crocodile 10. Shitalnäth — Shrivatsa/Wishing Tree 11. Shreyänsnäth — Rhinoceros 12. Väsupujya-swämi — Buffalo 13. Vimalnäth — Boar 14. Anantnäth — Bear/Hawk 15. Dharmnäth — Thunderbolt 16. Shäntinäth — Deer 17. Kunthunäth — Goat 18. Aranäth — Nandavarta/Fish 19. Mallinäth — Water Pot 20. Munisuvrat-swämi — Tortoise 21. Naminäth — Blue Lotus 22. Neminäth — Conch Shell 23. Pärshvanäth — Snake 24. Mahävirswämi (Vardhamän) — Lion The first Tirthankar, Rushabhadev, is also known as Ädinäth, and the last is Mahävirswämi. Most Tirthankars attained nirvana at Samet Shikhar, except Rushabhadev (Ashtapad/Kailasha), Väsupujya (Champäpuri), Neminäth (Girnar), and Mahävir (Päväpuri) [1][2].

According to Jain scriptures, the next (future) set of 24 Tirthankaras will appear in the coming ascending time cycle (Utsarpini Kaal) in Bharat-kshetra. Their names, as listed in the Samvayang Sutra, are: **1. Padma, 2. Surdev, 3. Suparshva, 4. Swamprabh, 5. Sarvathbhoot, 6. Devputra, 7. Kulputra, 8. Udak, 9. Proshthil, 10. Jaykirti, 11. Munisuvrat, 12. Aranath, 13. Apap, 14. Nishkashay, 15. Vipul, 16. Nirmal, 17. Chitragupt, 18. Samadhigupt, 19. Swambhu, 20. Anivriti, 21. Vijay, 22. Vimal, 23. Devpal, and 24. Anantvirya** [1][4]. The first of these, Padma, will be the 16th Kulkar (patriarch) of the future era, with a lifespan of 100 years and a height of 7 arnis (cubits). The last, Anantvirya, will have a lifespan of 1 crore years and a height of 500 dhanush (bows) [4]. Additionally, the scriptures note that these 24 future Tirthankaras had specific previous births, including well-known figures like Shrenik, Vasudeva Krishna, Baldeva Rama, and Devaki [1][2]. It is also mentioned that a separate set of 24 Tirthankaras will appear in the Airavat Varsh region of Jambudweep during the same time cycle [3].

Based on the provided context, the living beings specifically mentioned in relation to Nandishvar Dveep are divine beings (gods). The sources describe that many Bhavanapati (residential-class gods), Vaimanik (celestial gods), and other divine beings came to Nandishvar island to celebrate an eight-day festival [3]. The context also mentions that the Ratikar Parvats (entertainment mountains) and other structures in Nandishvar Dveep are the homes of gods, including Deva, Asura, Nāga, and Suparṇa [4]. The context does not provide a detailed list of other living beings (such as animals, plants, or humans) residing in Nandishvar Dveep. The descriptions focus primarily on the geography—the seven continents, seven seas, mountains, and lakes—and the divine beings who visit and reside there for celebrations and worship.

According to the Sthaananga Sutra, there are **four Bharat kshetras** in Dhatakikhand Dveep. [1] This is stated in the context of Jambu Dveep, where outside of it (in Dhatakikhand and Pushkaravar Dveep) there are four Bharat areas and four Airavat areas. [1] The text clarifies that while Jambu Dveep has two of each, the numbers are doubled for Dhatakikhand and Pushkaravar, making it four Bharat kshetras in Dhatakikhand specifically. [1] Additionally, Dhatakikhand contains two Mandar mountains and two Mandar Chulikas. [1]

There are **five Meru mountains** in total in the Jain cosmological geography of the "two-and-a-half continents" (Sadhé Dvipa) that constitute the human realm [Source 2][Source 5]. They are distributed as follows: - **One** in Jambudveep (the central continent), located at its exact center — this is the great "Mahameru," 100,000 yojans high [Source 1][Source 3]. - **Two** in Dhatakikhand — one in the eastern half and one in the western half [Source 2][Source 5]. - **Two** in Pushkarvardh (the half-continent) — one in the eastern half and one in the western half [Source 2][Source 5]. The four smaller Merus (in Dhatakikhand and Pushkarvardh) are 85,000 yojans high — 15,000 yojans less than the great Meru of Jambudveep [Source 2]. Each of the five Meru mountains has four forests (Bhadrashal, Nandan, Saumanas, and Panduk) with four chaityalayas (shrines) each, making a total of 80 shrines across all five mountains [Source 5].

The Navkar Mantra consists of **68 letters** in total in its original Prakrit version. It is composed of **nine padas** (sentences/phrases) and **eight sampadas** (meanings). The first five padas contain 35 letters, while the last four padas—known as the "Chulika"—contain 33 letters, together totaling 68 letters [1][2]. The mantra is also described as being "holy like 68 Tirthas" (pilgrimage sites), and its eight sampadas are said to bestow eight Siddhis (supernatural powers), while its nine padas give nine Niddhis (treasures) [3]. The 68-letter count applies to the original Prakrit version; some traditions may include or exclude certain portions, but the standard full mantra has 68 letters [2].