In Jain Dharma we look at this a bit differently.

1. Do we believe in Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (Shiv), Narayan, Ganesh, etc.?

- As Jains, we do not accept any of them as creator, controller, or destroyer of the universe. - We also do not consider them equal to or above Arihant / Siddha / Panch Parmeshthi.

1. Then what are they according to Jain view?

In Jain philosophy, there are countless devas (heavenly beings) in different levels of devalok. - Beings like Indra, Kuber, various Yakshas/Yakshinis, etc. are all considered celestial souls with high power and pleasure, but still bound by karma, still in samsar (cycle of birth and death). - Deities similar to Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv, Ganesh, etc. can be understood (from Jain angle) as powerful devas, not as the ultimate God.

1. Who is “God” in Jainism?

For us, the only real “God” is:

- Arihant – living Omniscient (Tirthankar) - Siddha – liberated, perfect soul - Together with Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu, they form Panch Parmeshthi.

These are pure souls, free from all karma, not creators, but perfect knowers and seers. Our main Namaskar / Bhakti is always towards them, not towards worldly gods.

1. Do Jains ever worship these other gods?

- Some Jains (socially/culturally), especially in mixed families or regions, may do Ganesh puja, Lakshmi puja, Shiv puja etc. - But philosophically, Jain Shastra teaches that such deities are not the final goal. - At most, they are samsari devas who may give temporary worldly benefits, while only Arihant–Siddha bhakti leads towards moksha.

1. Key Jain understanding

- No one created this universe – it is beginningless and endless. - Every soul can become God (Siddha) by destroying its own karma. - So we respect all beings, but ultimate shraddha and sharan is only in Panch Parmeshthi.

So, according to Jain Dharma:

• We do not believe in Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Shiv, Ganesh, etc. as supreme creator-God.
• We see them (if they exist) as highly evolved devas, still below the vitarag Paramatma (Arihant–Siddha), who alone are our true refuge and ideal.