In Jain Dharma, this point needs a little careful distinction.

1. Is moksha possible without diksha?

It depends what you mean by diksha:

• Inner diksha (bhāva-diksha)

– complete inner renunciation, destroying moha (deluding karma), perfect samyak darshan–jnan–charitra – Without this, moksha is impossible in all Jain traditions.

• Outer diksha (leaving home, taking sadhu/sadhvi vows formally)

– clothes, lifestyle, living in sangh as a monk/nun, etc.

The question usually is about the outer diksha.

---

2. General Jain rule

• Normally, a soul attains moksha only in a state equal to a perfect monk (parama-vrati), free from all possessions and passions.
• So, in practice, moksha without the reality of diksha does not happen.

---

3. Very rare “exception” in Śvetāmbar tradition

According to Śvetāmbar texts:

• Māru Devi Mata (mother of Bhagwan R̥ishabhdev)

– Was a shravikā (householder lady) – While riding on an elephant and seeing the samavasaran of R̥ishabhdev, she had intense samyaktva and vairaagya – In that very moment she destroyed all karmas, attained keval-jnan and immediately moksha, without formally taking sadhu-diksha in that life. – This is called “acheda moksha” (moksha without external cutting of hair / outer renunciation).

Some Śvetāmbar authors also describe Bharat Chakravarti as a gṛhastha-liṅgi siddha (liberated while having householder form), but even there, his inner state at the end is of a full renunciant.

So in Śvetāmbar view:

• Yes, there are extremely rare cases of moksha without outer diksha, but
• Inner complete renunciation was fully present.

---

4. Digambar view

According to Digambar tradition:

• No moksha without becoming a sadhu/sadhvi in that life.
• One must renounce all possessions, clothes, and take full muni-dharma to attain moksha.
• They do not accept the idea that Māru Devi attained moksha as a shravikā without diksha.

---

5. Simple summary

• Inner diksha (true renunciation) is always necessary for moksha – in all Jain traditions.
• Śvetāmbar: accept very rare cases like Māru Devi Mata, who got moksha without formal outer diksha.
• Digambar: teach that everyone must take formal sadhu-diksha in the last life to attain moksha; no exceptions.

For a simple explanation of what moksha is in Jainism, you can read more here