In Jain dharm, time is cyclic. In our region (Bharat kṣetra) we are now in the avasarpiṇī – the descending half‑cycle, where dharma and all good qualities slowly decline.

1. Six parts (ārā) of avasarpiṇī

In avasarpiṇī, there are six eras:

1. Sukham‑sukham kāl – only happiness, very long life, very high spiritual capacity.
2. Sukham kāl – still mostly happiness, but slightly less.
3. Sukham‑duḥkham kāl – more happiness, some sorrow; conditions slowly worsening.
4. Duḥkham‑sukham kāl – more sorrow than happiness; here most Tīrthaṅkars of the current half‑cycle are born, including the 24th, Mahāvīr Swāmī, towards the end.
5. Duḥkham kāl – mostly sorrow; this is our present era.
6. Duḥkham‑duḥkham kāl – only sorrow; extreme decline in every way.

Both Digambar and Śvetāmbara accept this basic structure, though some details (exact counts, dating) may differ in cosmology texts.

You can read a brief explanation here and more on avasarpiṇī here

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2. What “decline of dharma” means in avasarpiṇī

As avasarpiṇī goes forward, especially from 3rd to 6th āra:

• Ayushya (lifespan) decreases

From countless years in the early eras to about 100–120 years in our time, and only 16–20 years in the last (6th) era.

• Deha, bala, and tejas (body, strength, vitality) decrease

Human height, health, and inner strength go down; diseases and weaknesses increase.

• Sukha (happiness) decreases, duḥkha (suffering) increases

Natural calamities, conflicts, mental stress, and fear rise; peace of mind becomes rare.

• Saṃyam & sadācār (self‑control and good conduct) become weak

Less capacity for brahmacharya, aparigraha, and strict ahiṃsā; anger, greed, pride, deceit, and attachment strengthen.

• Shraddhā in true dharma becomes weaker

- Respect for Tīrthaṅkars, Āgams, and sadhu‑sādhvīs reduces. - People mix worldly views with dharma and call that “religion.” - External show of religion increases; internal purity (bhāva) decreases.

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3. Our present time: 5th āra – Duḥkham kāl

According to Jain tradition:

• We are now in 5th āra of avasarpiṇī, called Duḥkham kāl.
• This era lasts 21,000 years; about 2,500+ years have already passed since Bhagwān Mahāvīr’s nirvāṇ.
• Mokṣa is not attainable from our region (Bharat kṣetra) in this āra:

- Not because dharma is false, but because the average soul lacks the strength to practice it in its full, pure form.

• Over the course of this era:

- True understanding of Jain siddhānt becomes rarer. - Tap, vrata, and careful observance of ahiṃsā become harder. - Society moves more toward violence, materialism, and indulgence.

Still, following Jain dharma in whatever capacity we can (right faith, right knowledge, right conduct to our level) gives huge punya, better future births, and movement toward liberation in future eras and cycles.

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4. Future: 6th āra – Duḥkham‑duḥkham kāl

After this current 5th āra:

• Comes 6th āra, of only misery.
• Lifespan will shrink to about 16–20 years.
• Almost no religion in practice:

- No sādhu‑sādhvīs, no temples as we know them, no real śraddhā in dharma. - Extreme violence, non‑vegetarianism almost universal, social order collapsed.

• After the end of this terrible era, the utsarpiṇī (ascending half‑cycle) begins; then slowly:

- Lifespan, strength, and happiness increase. - Conditions for true dharma and mokṣa become favorable again.

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5. Role of a Jain in this declining time

Even though dharma as a social force is declining:

• Each jīva’s potential for purity is eternal.
• A wise Jain uses awareness of avasarpiṇī not for despair, but:

- To protect whatever dharma remains: ahiṃsā, satya, aparigraha, sadācār. - To avoid adharma even if “everyone else is doing it.” - To strengthen: - Daily samyak darshan–jñān–chāritra to the extent possible. - Detachment (vairāgya), knowing this is a time of fall, not rise.

So, in avasarpiṇī, dharma declines in the world, but can still grow inside an alert jīva. That inner growth becomes the cause for better births and eventual liberation when conditions are again favorable in the cycle of time.