Answer

In Jain Dharma, there are 6 Aaras in each half-cycle of time.

Jain time cycle has two halves:

• Utsarpini – ascending half-cycle
• Avasarpini – descending half-cycle

Each half-cycle has 6 Aaras, so a full time cycle has 12 Aaras.

Six Aaras and Their Duration

The 6 Aaras are:

• 1. Sushama-Sushama – 4 Koda-Kodi Sagaropam
• 2. Sushama – 3 Koda-Kodi Sagaropam
• 3. Sushama-Dushama – 2 Koda-Kodi Sagaropam
• 4. Dushama-Sushama – 1 Koda-Kodi Sagaropam minus 42,000 years
• 5. Dushama – 21,000 years
• 6. Dushama-Dushama – 21,000 years

Important Note

We are currently in the 5th Aara, called Dushama Aara, of the Avasarpini time cycle.

According to Jain tradition, the 5th Aara began after the nirvana of Bhagwan Mahavir and lasts for 21,000 years.

Takeaway

There are 6 Aaras in Utsarpini and 6 Aaras in Avasarpini. Each Aara represents a spiritual and physical condition of the world, ranging from great happiness and purity to increasing sorrow and spiritual decline.