When will we attain Moksha ?

Moksha is the state of permanent bliss, no re-births, just pure light. However, there will be infinite souls who will never achieve Moksha and would remain trapped in this cycle of life-death-birth-rebirth for eternity, going through various life forms in hells and heaven, plants, animals and as humans. 

Naturally a question arises: "When will I/we/any Jiva  attain Moksha?" In how many lives, rebirths can one attain Moksha from here? Our Aagams are encyclopedia of knowledge, leaving no question unanswered. If there is one Aagam I would recommend every follower to read , it is the 5th Aagam, Vyākhyāprajñapti  (or The Bhagvati Sutra). While answering questions of Gautam Swami, Bhagwan Mahavir gave us the answer to above question as well. 

Bhagwan Mahavir said that there are three degrees of  practitioners of Samyak Gyaan (Right Knowledge), Samyak Darshan (Right Faith) and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct):

  • 1st Degree - Superlative ("Utkrisht" or of the highest order, utmost devotion, or supreme practitioner)
  • 2nd  Degree - Mediocre ("Madhyam" or just a moderate follower) and 
  • 3rd Degree - Lowly ("Jaghanya" or of the lowest order, just a very basic follower). Remember just by being born in Jain family or background, doesn't guarantee a lowly order of practice.

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A Jiva/Soul performing Superlative (or of the highest quality; many Jain acharyas and monks like Sh Vidhya SagarJi or Sudha Sagar ji in my humble view would fall in this category) Practice of either Right Knowledge, Right Conduct or Right Faith attains Moksha in maximum 2 rebirths. One birth as a Dev in heaven and second as a human, in which he attains Moksha. Some can attain Moksha in that birth itself. Jiva following Superlative Practice of Right Conduct mostly becomes Dev beyond the Kalpas (that's the only difference). 

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A Jiva/Soul performing Mediocre Practice (just a moderate follower with devotion, many Jain Monks and even Sharavaks following Jain principles with utmost devotion, austerity and seva bhaav would fall in this category in my humble opinion) of either Right Knowledge, Right Conduct or Right Faith attains Moksha in minimum 2 and maximum 3 re-births. One/two births as a Dev in heaven and second/third as a human, in which he attains Moksha. 

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A Jiva/Soul performing Lowly Practice (simply knowing and believing; even though of the lowest order but still a firm believer in the three jewels) of either Right Knowledge, Right Conduct or Right Faith attain Moksha in minimum 3 and maximum 7-8 rebirths. These Jivas would mostly end all miseries and attain Moksha in 3 births (as Dev and Humans), they are never reborn after 7th or 8th life form.


All it needs is small efforts and even mediocre or low faith, knowledge and conduct of Jain principles to free one-self from this painful cycle of life and death in 2-8 rebirths. Just by attaining Right Faith, King Shrenik not only reduced his bandh of 7th Hell to 1st Hell, but also did a bandh of "Tirthankar" Prakriti (he would be the 1st Tirthankar of next cycle on Earth). Remember a person with Right Faith, may not necessarily be performing the highest order of right conduct himself. 

Walk one step at a time, destination is far but achievable; else its easy to be lost in the maze forever! So fortunate we are to get this rare human life form and with Jinvani as our guide, lets not waste this once in an infinite year opportunity that our souls have earned due to past deeds!

It is believed that Dadagurudev Sh JinDutt Suri, who was one of the most powerful Jain monks in the last millenia is currently residing in Devlok and would attain Moksha in his 2nd re-birth from Mahavideh Kshetra. He was a prime example of a Superlative Practitioner of Right Knowledge, Conduct and Faith. 

While the three Jain Jewels of Right Knowledge, Faith and Conduct are so deep  that it can take books to describe them and their deep meanings. But below is a one line gist for us beginners:

Samyak Darshan - Right Faith comes from right thoughts, right actions, right knowledge, right relationships, and right attitude. It does not necessarily mean doing what one is told, but seeing things in the right light.  Its all in the mind!

Samyak Gyaan - Right Knowledge of Jain universe cosmology, the six universal substance and the nine principles or tattvas. Just have the pure knowledge!

Samyak Charitra or Right Conduct is simply living the Jaina way of life. Free from impure thoughts, speech, actions and follower of the five vows of Jainism - Non-violence, Truthfulness, Non-stealing, Celibacy and Non-attachment

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Appendix:

Source of Prakrit texts: Sh Bhagwati Sutra Aagam

A Jeev who has attained Superlative Practise of Right Knowledge, automatically  attains Superlative or Mediocre Practice of Right Faith and Conduct both. A Jeev who has attained Superlative Practice of Right Faith attains either Superlative, Mediocre or Lowly Practice of Right Knowledge. A Jeev who attains Superlative Practice of Right Conduct for sure also attains Superlative Practice of both Right Knowledge and Right Faith, Right Conduct entails Right Faith in itself!


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