Answer

In Jain Dharma, the correct terms are likely:

• Śruta-kevalī — one who has complete knowledge of the Jain scriptures.
• Kevalī — one who has attained Kevala Jñāna, perfect and infinite knowledge.

So, the main difference is:

• Śruta-kevalī has complete scriptural knowledge.
• Kevalī has direct omniscience — complete knowledge of all substances and their modes.

Explanation

A Śruta-kevalī is a highly advanced spiritual teacher who fully knows the scriptures, especially the complete teachings handed down from the Tirthankar’s tradition. Their knowledge is based on śruta-jñāna, meaning scriptural or verbal knowledge.

A Kevalī, however, has destroyed the knowledge-obscuring karmas completely and has attained Kevala Jñāna. This is infinite, direct, and perfect knowledge. A Kevalī does not merely know scriptures; they directly know reality in its complete form.

Spiritual Understanding

In simple terms:

• A Śruta-kevalī perfectly understands the teachings.
• A Kevalī directly realizes and knows everything.

A Śruta-kevalī is spiritually extraordinary, but a Kevalī is higher because Kevala Jñāna is the supreme form of knowledge before liberation.

Takeaway

Śruta-kevalī means complete master of scriptures; Kevalī means omniscient soul with perfect knowledge.