Answer

A kevali lives only for the remaining lifespan of that body after attaining keval jñāna, the state of omniscience.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, when a soul becomes a kevali, it has destroyed all knowledge-obscuring karmas and attains infinite knowledge. But the body does not disappear immediately.

• The kevali remains in the body until the body’s lifespan karma is completed.
• This means the time after keval jñāna can be long or short, depending on the remaining ayushya karma.
• After the body ends, the kevali becomes a Siddha.

Spiritual Understanding

This teaches that liberation in Jainism is not only about attaining pure knowledge, but also about patiently living out the remaining karmic body without attachment.

Takeaway

A kevali does not live for a fixed number of years after omniscience. He or she lives only until the remaining lifespan karma of that birth is finished.