Answer

A soul generally starts the ascent of the śreṇī at the 8th gunasthāna, called Apūrvakaraṇa. From there, it may enter either:

• Upaśama śreṇī, or
• Kṣapaka śreṇī

Explanation

The usual sequence is:

• 7th gunasthāna = Apramatta Virata
• 8th gunasthāna = Apūrvakaraṇa
• Then the soul progresses into either:

- Upaśama śreṇī if karmic passions are suppressed, or - Kṣapaka śreṇī if karmic passions are destroyed

So, if we speak strictly about when the śreṇī begins, the answer is the 8th gunasthāna.

Spiritual Understanding

This stage is very important because it shows that the soul has reached an extremely pure and powerful inner state. At this point:

• spiritual discipline becomes very intense,
• karmic bondage becomes very subtle,
• and the soul moves rapidly toward liberation.

Takeaway

Śreṇī-pravesh begins at the 8th gunasthāna. The 7th gunasthāna is the immediate preparation, and the actual climb of upaśama or kṣapaka śreṇī starts from the 8th.