In Jainism, “Gandharva” can mean two different things, so I’ll separate them and explain their relation (or non‑relation) to death:

---

1. Gandhar Bhagwant (Ganadhar) – Disciple of a Tirthankar

This is the main “Gandhar” in Jain dharma.

• Gandhar Bhagwant are the chief disciples of a living Tirthankar (like Gautam Swami, the Gandhar of Bhagwan Mahavir).
• Their role is:

- To understand the Tirthankar’s Divya‑dhvani (omniscient discourse) completely. - To arrange, explain and preserve these teachings for monks, nuns and laypeople. - To become the main channel through which Jain Agam (scriptures) are formed.

Role at the time of someone’s death

For an ordinary soul’s death (any jiva dying and taking next birth), Gandhar Bhagwant do not personally “come” or “take the soul”. Their role is teaching and guiding spiritually while they are alive:

• By listening to the Tirthankar through Gandhar Bhagwant, a person:

- develops samyak darshan, samyak jnan, samyak charitra, - reduces passions (krodh, maan, maya, lobh), - and purifies karma.

This purification helps the soul have a better state at the moment of death, which leads to a better next birth or even the path to moksha. So, indirectly, Gandhar help at death because their teachings help us die with a purer mind and lighter karma.

You can read a simple explanation of Gandhar Bhagwant here

---

2. Gandharva as a class of Devas (heavenly beings)

In Jain cosmology, among Vyantar / Kalpa Devas, one group is called Gandharvas (similar name, but not Gandhar Bhagwant).

• They are just heavenly beings in a particular category.
• Like all devas, they are worldly souls, still in samsar, enjoying pleasure but bound by karma.

Role at the time of death

• According to Jain doctrine, no deva (including Gandharvas) can change your karma at death.
• At the exact moment of death:

- The soul leaves that body. - According to its own karmas and present passions, it instantly takes another birth (in one of the 4 gatis).

• Devas may sometimes be present as onlookers at the death of very great souls (e.g. Tirthankars, great monks), but:

- They do not decide the next birth. - They cannot give moksha.

So, Gandharva devas have no special fixed “duty” in every death. The entire process is governed only by karmic law, not by a deity lifting or carrying the soul.

You can see a simple Jain explanation of what happens after death here

---

Core Jain view to remember

• Death = only the body ends. The soul continues, carrying its karmas.
• Next birth is decided purely by:

- Type and intensity of karmas, - Especially the state of passions at the last moment.

• Neither Gandhar Bhagwant nor Gandharva devas can override this law.

So, in summary:

• Gandhar Bhagwant help us before death by teaching the true dharma so we can die with right faith and reduced karma.
• Gandharva devas are just one type of heavenly beings; they have no controlling role in the death‑rebirth mechanism.