Tirthankara

Summary

Milford E. Shields’s short verse uses the image of the Tīrthaṅkara – a ‘ford‑maker’ in Jain tradition – to evoke the soul’s journey away from worldly attachment toward spiritual joy. In just a few lines, the poet invites the reader to cast off the ‘things of earth’ that have no spiritual weight and to clothe the soul in the crystal purity of light. He describes infinity itself as substance and binds it with perfect righteousness so that the Tīrthaṅkara may ferry the soul across the turbulent river of existence. The poem recognises that happiness does not lie in material possessions or sensory pleasures; rather, it arises from cultivating the ethical and spiritual qualities personified by the Tīrthaṅkara. In Jainism the Tīrthaṅkara not only teaches but also embodies the path to liberation. By calling on the soul to ‘put off’ worldly things, the poet mirrors the ascetic discipline practiced by the great teachers. The poem can also be interpreted broadly: one need not be a monk to aspire to purity and righteousness; anyone can begin by letting go of greed, anger and egoism and by aligning themselves with compassion and truth. Although brief, the verse encapsulates a central Jain teaching that liberation requires inner cleansing and right conduct. The imagery of light, purity and a joyful realm underscores the positive, transformative nature of the path. By ending with the promise that the soul will be ferried to the first realm of happiness, the poet reminds readers that spiritual practice yields tangible peace and freedom.