In Jain Dharma, Keval-jnan (omniscient knowledge) is the last, highest spiritual state before moksha. It is extremely rare and very difficult – usually achieved only by Tirthankars and a few great Kevalis.

Still, scriptures clearly show the step-by-step path (moksh-marg). I’ll explain it in very simple form.

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1. Understand what Keval-jnan really is

• Every soul already has infinite knowledge, but it is covered by karma.
• When all four “ghātiya” karmas are completely destroyed:

1. Jnānāvarniya (knowledge-obscuring) 2. Darshanāvarniya (perception-obscuring) 3. Mohaniya (deluding/passion-creating) 4. Antarāya (obstructing energy)

• Then the natural, infinite knowledge shines fully – this is Keval-jnan.

You can read a simple explanation about knowledge-obscuring karma and Keval-jnan here

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2. The overall road map (Ratnatraya + Gunasthan)

The path is the same for Digambar and Shwetambar in essence:

1. Samyak Darshan – Right Faith / Right View
2. Samyak Jnan – Right Knowledge
3. Samyak Charitra – Right Conduct

(plus Tap – austerity)

By following this, the soul moves through 14 Gunasthan (spiritual stages). Keval-jnan comes only at 13th Gunasthan.

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3. Step-by-step in simple levels

Level 1 – Basic foundation (from mithyātva to interest in dharma)

1. Stop heavy sins as much as you can

- Avoid violence, lies, stealing, sexual misconduct, greed, alcohol, meat, etc. - Even if not perfect, start reducing them sincerely.

1. Develop Faith in Jain Tattvas

- Believe in: soul, karma, rebirth, bondage, nirjara, moksha, and true God = Arihant/Siddha. - Listen to pravachans, study basic texts, keep satsang with dharmic people.

This weakens mithyātva (wrong belief) and starts preparing for Samyak Darshan.

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Level 2 – Samyak Darshan (Right Faith)

1. Deep inner turning point

- One day (or period), by reflections, satsang, and purity, your inner view changes: - You are sure: - “I am soul, not body/mind.” - “Worldly things are temporary (anitya).” - “True happiness is in the pure soul, not in possessions.”

1. Practice the 12 Bhavnas (Reflections) regularly

- Especially: Anitya (impermanence), Ashraya (helplessness of body), Samvar, Nirjara, Loka-svabhav, Dharma, etc. - These reduce attachment and hatred, and weaken Mohaniya karma.

A short Q&A on the link between Anitya-bhavna and Keval-jnan:

With true Samyak Darshan, the soul enters 4th Gunasthan.

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Level 3 – Strengthening Knowledge (Samyak Jnan)

1. Study authentic Jain scriptures

- Tattvartha Sutra, Samayasara, Pravachansara, Uttaradhyayan, etc. (as per your tradition). - Learn clearly: - What is jiva / ajiva - What is punya / paap - How karma binds and is shed - What is real dharma (restraint of passions).

1. Remove doubts, wrong mixed beliefs

- Avoid mixing Jain tattva with opposite ideas. - Keep your faith and understanding aligned with Arihant-vani (teaching of Tirthankars).

Now right faith + right knowledge together build strong Samyak Jnan.

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Level 4 – Right Conduct for a layperson (Shravak)

1. Follow Anuvratas (small vows) seriously

- Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, controlled sexuality, limited possessions. - Add Guṇa-vratas and Shiksha-vratas (extra discipline) as you grow.

1. Daily spiritual routine

- Pratikraman, Samayik, Swadhyaya (study), meditation on soul. - Regular fasting, upvas, ayambil, partial fasts, control of taste and senses.

This reduces new karmic bondage and starts strong nirjara (shedding old karma).

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Level 5 – Advanced conduct (towards monkhood)

For Keval-jnan, scriptures are clear: ultimately one needs very high renunciation – the full monk/nun path.

1. Develop deep Vairagya (detachment)

- Worldly life looks small compared to soul’s purity. - One naturally desires diksha (initiation) – not out of emotion, but clear understanding.

1. Accept Monk/Nun vows (if and when truly ready)

- Total celibacy, non-possession, non-ownership, non-violence in the highest form. - Constant vigilance over mind, speech, body.

From here, the soul climbs higher Gunasthan through internal purity.

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Level 6 – Destroying Mohaniya Karma

This is the main blockage to Keval-jnan.

1. Conquer Kashayas (passions)

- Anger, pride, deceit, greed slowly become: - Mild → very mild → completely finished. - Constant equanimity (samata) in praise–insult, gain–loss, etc.

1. State of Kshina-moha (12th Gunasthan)

- All Mohaniya karma are fully destroyed. - No delusion left. - This is an extremely high saintly state (Kshina-kashaya).

After destruction of Mohaniya, only three ghātiya karmas are left to be destroyed fully.

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Level 7 – Keval-jnan (13th Gunasthan)

1. Complete destruction of all four Ghātiya Karmas

- Jnānāvarniya – knowledge-obscuring - Darshanāvarniya – perception-obscuring - Mohaniya – already destroyed at 12th - Antarāya – obstructing karma

1. Keval-jnan arises

- Infinite knowledge of all substances, all times, all modes, in one moment. - Infinite perception, infinite energy, infinite bliss. - The being is now an Arihant / Kevali.

Both Digambar and Shwetambar accept:

• Keval-jnan comes with destruction of the four ghātiya karmas.
• It is associated with the 13th Gunasthan (Sayogī Kevali).

Small differences in detailed descriptions exist, but no difference in main principle.

You can also see a simple Q&A on Keval-jnan and moksha time-gap here

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8. After Keval-jnan – Towards Moksha

1. Kevali lives remaining life-span

- Still has body, speech, minimal activity. - No new karma binding now.

1. At end of that life

- Remaining aghātiya karmas (body-making, status, feeling, life-span karma) are shed. - Soul rises naturally to Siddha-shila and becomes Siddha (liberated).

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Important practical note

For most of us in this life:

• Aim realistically at:

- Stopping sins - Building true faith - Regular dharma practice - Reducing passions

• These are real steps on the same ladder that finally leads to Keval-jnan.
• Even moving one Gunasthan higher is a huge achievement.

So, the step-by-step way to Keval-jnan in short:

1. Stop sins, cultivate basic purity.
2. Gain Samyak Darshan (right faith).
3. Strengthen Samyak Jnan by true study.
4. Follow Samyak Charitra (vows, discipline, tapas).
5. Progress through Gunasthan, especially destroying Mohaniya karma.
6. When all four ghātiya karmas are totally destroyed – Keval-jnan appears.

This is the pure Jain path to omniscient Keval-jnan.