In Jain Dharma, time (Kālchakra) moves in endless cycles. Each half-cycle (Avasarpini – descending, and Utsarpini – ascending) has 6 ārās (eras).

Right now, in Bhārat Kṣetra, we are in the 5th ārā (Pancham Kāl / Duḥamā). After this finishes, the 6th ārā will come, and then the next half-cycle begins.

What is the 6th ārā like?

The 6th ārā is called:

• Duḥamā‑duḥamā or Chhaṭṭh Kāl
• It is a time of only sorrow, no true spiritual rise.

Main points described in Jain tradition:

1. Extreme misery (Ati‑duḥkha)

- More wars, violence, natural calamities, diseases. - Very strong kashāyas (anger, pride, deceit, greed).

1. Very short life-span

- Human life-span becomes much shorter than now. - Physical strength, health, and beauty are very low.

1. Almost no religion in practice

- No Tirthankars, no Kevaljnanis. - Real dharma practically disappears from people’s lives. - Very few people even think about punya, paap, moksha.

1. End of Avasarpini

- The 6th ārā lasts traditionally for about 21,000 years. - When it ends, the descending half (Avasarpini) is over. - Then the ascending half (Utsarpini) begins again with the 1st ārā, and slowly conditions improve.

What happens after the 6th ārā?

After the 6th ārā of the Avasarpini:

1. A new Utsarpini (ascending) starts

- Time does not end. - There is no “doomsday” or total destruction in Jainism. - Instead, the “wheel of time” simply moves into the next half-cycle.

1. First ārā of Utsarpini begins

- Very slowly, over an unimaginably long time, - Lifespan increases - Strength and health improve - Happiness increases - Capacity for dharma returns - Again in that Utsarpini, 24 Tirthankars will appear (but this is after an extremely long time; not at all near our present phase).

1. Cycle keeps repeating forever

- Avasarpini → 1st to 6th ārā - Then Utsarpini → 1st to 6th ārā - Then again Avasarpini… - This has no beginning and no end.

So, after the 6th ārā, there is no final end of the world. Instead, the worst phase of this descending cycle ends, and a new ascending cycle begins, slowly moving back towards better conditions and, much later, again towards times where Tirthankars and true dharma flourish.

You can read a simple explanation of Jain Kālchakra and ārās here