An Arihant is a Jain soul that has destroyed the four destructive karmas and has attained Keval Gyan (omniscience) while still living in the body.

In simple words:

• Ari = inner enemies like anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment, and aversion
• Hant = destroyer

So, an Arihant is one who has conquered all inner passions and is free from ignorance. Such a soul has perfect knowledge, perfect vision, and pure conduct.

Main qualities of an Arihant

• Has destroyed knowledge-obscuring karma
• Has destroyed perception-obscuring karma
• Has destroyed deluding karma
• Has destroyed obstructive karma
• Possesses Keval Gyan
• Preaches the path of liberation for all beings

In Jain tradition

• Tirthankar when that soul establishes the Jain Tirth
• Jina because it has conquered inner enemies

After the Arihant leaves the body, the soul becomes a Siddha. An Arihant is therefore a liberated-in-life, omniscient Jina, while a Siddha is a fully liberated soul without a body.