Answer

In Jain Dharma, we generally cannot know whether a newborn baby will go to Narak (hellish realm) in a future birth.

According to Jain karma philosophy, the next gati is determined by the soul’s karmas, especially the karmas bound through passions like anger, ego, deceit, greed, violence, and intense attachment. But for ordinary people, the exact karmic state of another soul is not visible.

Explanation

A newborn baby appears innocent in this life, but Jain Dharma teaches that every soul has traveled through countless past births and carries accumulated karmas.

However:

• We cannot judge a baby’s future gati from appearance, behavior, birth circumstances, health, or family.
• Only a being with extraordinary spiritual knowledge, such as a Kevalī, can truly know the exact karmic condition of a soul.
• It is not proper to label any baby as destined for Narak.

In Jain understanding, Narak gati is mainly associated with very intense sinful karmas, cruelty, extreme violence, deep hatred, and powerful passions. A newborn’s present condition does not give ordinary people the ability to determine such a destiny.

Spiritual Understanding

The Jain approach is not to predict or condemn, but to cultivate compassion and right values.

For a child, the best thing is to create a peaceful and dharmic environment:

• Teach ahimsa from childhood
• Encourage kindness toward all living beings
• Avoid anger, harshness, and fear-based upbringing
• Expose the child to Jain values, prayers, and satsang
• Live as an example of compassion and self-control

Takeaway

We cannot know that a newborn baby will go to Narak. Jain Dharma teaches us to avoid judgment and instead help every soul move toward better karma, compassion, and ultimately liberation.