In Jainism, a soul (jiva) can take birth in many forms, but all of them are grouped mainly in this way:

1. Four main gati (destinies)

Every non-liberated soul is always in one of these four gatis:

1. Deva gati – Celestial beings

- Gods, heavenly beings. - Result of high punya (merit), lots of sukha (pleasure), but still in bondage of karma.

1. Manushya gati – Human beings

- Our present human form. - Considered the best gati for doing true dharma and progressing to moksha.

1. Tiryanch gati – Non‑human worldly beings

- Animals, birds, insects, worms, plants, tiny organisms, etc.

1. Naraka gati – Hellish beings

- Beings born in hells due to very heavy papa (sinful) karmas; full of dukh (suffering).

Karma (especially āyu‑karma and other main karmas) decides in which of these four gati the soul will be born next. ( jainknowledge.com)

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2. Nigod form

Apart from ordinary visible beings, Jain scriptures also describe Nigod jivas:

• Extremely subtle, lowest form of life.
• Infinite number of souls are in nigod state.
• Almost no activity, very covered by karma.
• Usually counted under tiryanch category, but so subtle that we cannot perceive them.
• From nigod, some souls gradually rise to more developed forms (one-sensed, then higher).

(Details about nigod differ slightly in terminology and explanation between Digambar and Shvetambar texts, but the basic idea is same: it is the most undeveloped, karmically heavy state of jiva.)

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3. By yoni (type of birth within each gati)

Within each gati, there are many yoni (sub‑types of birth). For example:

• Deva‑yoni: different celestial classes, levels of heavens.
• Manushya‑yoni: different regions, bodies, conditions as humans.
• Tiryanch‑yoni: animals (cow, lion, dog, etc.), birds, water beings, plants, micro‑organisms, etc.
• Narak‑yoni: various types of hell‑beings in different hell levels.

These yonis are also decided by specific karmas.

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4. By spiritual status (same soul, different stage)

The same jiva, when progressing spiritually, is also spoken of in forms like:

• Samsari jiva – ordinary wandering soul (in any of the 4 gatis).
• Arihant / Kevali – living Tirthankara or omniscient being (still embodied, last human birth).
• Siddha – fully liberated soul in Siddhashila, beyond all gatis and rebirth.

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Summary in simple words

• A soul can be born as: Deva, Manushya, Tiryanch, or Naraki.
• Within these, there are many types of bodies and yonis.
• Nigod is the most basic, undeveloped life form, mostly counted within tiryanch.
• By doing punya and right dharma, soul can get better births (especially human) and finally become Arihant and then Siddha, beyond all births.