In Jainism, Time (Kaal) moves in a never‑ending cycle (Kaal‑Chakra). Each half of this cycle has 6 eras (Ārā / Kaal) called “6 aras”.

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Two halves of the time cycle

1. Utsarpiṇī – ascending half

- From worst to best - Happiness, age, strength, spirituality gradually increase

1. Avasarpiṇī – descending half

- From best to worst - Happiness, age, strength, spirituality gradually decrease

Each half has the same 6 aras; only the direction (improving / declining) is opposite.

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Names of the 6 Aras (both traditions accept these)

From best to worst:

1. Sukhama‑Sukhama (सुख़म‑सुख़म)

- Meaning: Very, very happy time - People are extremely tall, live very long, no sorrow, no disease, no religion needed – all naturally good.

1. Sukhama (सुख़म)

- Meaning: Very happy time - Still full of comfort and joy, a little less than the first era.

1. Sukhama‑Duṣama (सुख़म‑दुषम)

- Meaning: More happiness, some sorrow - Mostly happiness, but now small traces of problems, anger, etc. begin. - In our Avasarpiṇī, Bhagwān Ṛṣabhdeva (Ādināth) appears towards the end of this era.

1. Duṣama‑Sukhama (दुषम‑सुख़म)

- Meaning: More sorrow, some happiness - Mixed time: good and bad both. - In this era of each half‑cycle, all 24 Tīrthankars (except Ādināth) are born and establish dharma.

1. Duṣama (दुषम)

- Meaning: Sorrowful time - Age, strength, empathy, and spirituality reduce a lot. - There is dharma, but people follow very little. - We are now in this 5th ara (Duṣama) of Avasarpiṇī in Bhārat Kṣetra.

1. Duṣama‑Duṣama (दुषम‑दुषम)

- Meaning: Very, very sorrowful time - Maximum misery, very short lifespan, almost no capacity for spiritual practice. - In this era, no Tīrthankars, no true dharma practice on this part of the universe.

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Order of the 6 Aras in each half

• In Avasarpiṇī (descending):

1) Sukhama‑Sukhama 2) Sukhama 3) Sukhama‑Duṣama 4) Duṣama‑Sukhama 5) Duṣama 6) Duṣama‑Duṣama

• In Utsarpiṇī (ascending):

The order is reverse, starting from the worst and going to the best: 1) Duṣama‑Duṣama 2) Duṣama 3) Duṣama‑Sukhama 4) Sukhama‑Duṣama 5) Sukhama 6) Sukhama‑Sukhama

After one full Avasarpiṇī + Utsarpiṇī, a new cycle starts again – this goes on forever.

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Digambar & Shvetambar view

• Both Digambar and Shvetāmbara traditions accept:

- Infinite time - Two halves: Utsarpiṇī and Avasarpiṇī - 6 eras (aras) in each half - 24 Tīrthankars in each half‑cycle, mainly appearing in the 4th ara

• Some detailed numbers (like exact duration of eras) may differ slightly in different texts, but the basic concept of 6 aras and their nature is the same.

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For a simple explanation of Jain Kaal‑Chakra and its 6 eras, you can also read here and a direct Q&A listing the 6 eras here