Answer

In Jain Dharma, the correct terms are likely:

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

A Kevalī is spiritually higher than a Śruta-kevalī.

Explanation

Śruta-kevalī means a person who has mastered the entire Jain scriptural knowledge, especially the complete teachings preserved through the Jain āgamas and pūrvas according to tradition.

They know the scriptures completely, but they have not necessarily destroyed all knowledge-obscuring karmas.

Kevalī means one who has attained Keval Jñān. This is perfect, direct, infinite knowledge of all substances and all their modes across past, present, and future.

A Kevalī has destroyed the four destructive karmas:

• Jñānāvaraṇīya karma — knowledge-obscuring karma
• Darśanāvaraṇīya karma — perception-obscuring karma
• Mohanīya karma — deluding karma
• Antarāya karma — obstructive karma

Main Difference

• Śruta-kevalī: complete scriptural knowledge.
• Kevalī: complete direct omniscience.
• Śruta-kevalī: knowledge is through scripture and teaching.
• Kevalī: knowledge is direct, perfect, and infinite.
• Śruta-kevalī: still may have remaining destructive karmas.
• Kevalī: has destroyed all four ghāti karmas.

Spiritual Understanding

Śruta-kevalī represents the highest mastery of scriptural wisdom. Kevalī represents the highest state of living spiritual realization before liberation.

All Tirthankars are Kevalīs, but not every Śruta-kevalī is a Kevalī.

Takeaway

A Śruta-kevalī knows the complete scriptures, while a Kevalī directly knows reality completely. In Jain Dharma, Keval Jñān is higher than scriptural mastery.