In Jainism, time is considered cyclical and is divided into two equal halves: Utsarpini (ascending half-cycle) and Avasarpini (descending half-cycle). Each of these is further divided into six eras known as ara (also called kālas).

The 3rd ara is called "Suṣama-duḥṣamā" (Sushama-Dushama) in Sanskrit. Here are the details:

3rd Ara: Suṣama-duḥṣamā (Sushama-Dushama)

• Meaning: "Happiness mixed with a little unhappiness"
• Duration: This era lasts for 420,000 years.
• Characteristics:

- People experience happiness, prosperity, and longevity, but minor traces of sorrow and suffering begin to appear. - Human lifespan and physical strength decrease compared to the previous (second) ara, but are still far greater than the present. - Dharma (righteousness) and spiritual practices continue, but begin to decline slowly. - It is often described as the age during which the first tīrthaṅkaras (spiritual teachers) of the current cycle lived and preached.

• Significance:

- In the present Avasarpini (descending cycle), the 3rd ara was the period when Rishabhanatha (the first Tirthankara) was born, as well as other early Tirthankaras. - After this period, happiness continues to decline further in the subsequent eras.

Summary Table

| Ara Number | Name | Meaning | Duration | |------------|--------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------| | 3rd | Suṣama-duḥṣamā | Happiness with some unhappiness | 420,000 years|

If you want to know about other aras or more details about the time cycle, please let me know!