Answer

Before keval gyan, the soul becomes extremely pure and detached. At that stage, the destructive karmas—especially jñānāvaraniya, darshanāvaraniya, mohaniya, and antaraya—are being destroyed or are just about to be fully destroyed. The soul is in the highest state of spiritual absorption, and then infinite knowledge manifests as keval gyan.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, keval gyan does not come suddenly without cause. It is the result of:

• deep spiritual practice
• complete right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct
• intense meditation and detachment
• destruction of the four ghāti karmas

Just before keval gyan, the soul reaches a very subtle and elevated state. There is no attachment, no anger, no greed, no pride, and no illusion. The mind becomes completely शांत and स्थिर in the highest sense. Then, when all obstructing karmas are removed, infinite knowledge appears naturally.

Spiritual Understanding

This moment shows a very important truth in Jainism:

• knowledge is fully revealed only when karma is removed
• liberation begins with inner purity
• true wisdom is not acquired from outside; it unfolds when the soul becomes free from bondage

So, before keval gyan, the soul is in the final stage of purification.

Takeaway

Before keval gyan, there is total inner cleansing, deep meditation, and destruction of the obstructing karmas. Then the soul shines in its natural state of infinite knowledge.