Answer

In Jain Dharma, Avasarpiṇī is the descending half-cycle of time, in which happiness, lifespan, physical strength, spiritual capacity, and moral purity gradually decline.

Avasarpiṇī has six eras, called Ārās:

• 1. Suṣamā-Suṣamā Ārā – Extremely happy era
• 2. Suṣamā Ārā – Happy era
• 3. Suṣamā-Duḥṣamā Ārā – Happy-sorrowful era
• 4. Duḥṣamā-Suṣamā Ārā – Sorrowful-happy era
• 5. Duḥṣamā Ārā – Sorrowful era
• 6. Duḥṣamā-Duḥṣamā Ārā – Extremely sorrowful era

According to Jain tradition, we are currently living in the 5th era: Duḥṣamā Ārā.

Explanation

The six eras of Avasarpiṇī show the gradual decline of worldly conditions:

• 1. Suṣamā-Suṣamā: Complete happiness, no suffering, no need for religion or governance, and people live naturally peaceful lives.
• 2. Suṣamā: Happiness continues, but slightly less than the first era.
• 3. Suṣamā-Duḥṣamā: Happiness still exists, but suffering begins to appear. Human needs and social organization gradually develop.
• 4. Duḥṣamā-Suṣamā: Sorrow increases, but spiritual greatness is still possible. In this era, the 24 Tīrthaṅkars of the present Avasarpiṇī appear.
• 5. Duḥṣamā: The current era. Suffering, attachment, violence, and spiritual weakness increase. Liberation is traditionally understood not to occur from Bharat Kṣetra during this era.
• 6. Duḥṣamā-Duḥṣamā: The most sorrowful era, marked by extreme decline in morality, lifespan, strength, and happiness.

Spiritual Understanding

The doctrine of Avasarpiṇī teaches that worldly happiness is temporary and constantly changing. Jain Dharma encourages us not to depend on external conditions, but to focus on:

• Samyak Darśan – Right faith
• Samyak Jñān – Right knowledge
• Samyak Cāritra – Right conduct
• Ahiṃsā – Non-violence
• Tapasya – Spiritual austerity

Takeaway

Avasarpiṇī is the descending cycle of time with six eras, moving from great happiness to great sorrow. We are now in the 5th era, Duḥṣamā Ārā, where spiritual effort is difficult but still very meaningful.