Answer

In Jain Dharma, time is eternal. It has no beginning and no end. It continuously moves in a cycle called the Kālchakra or Time Cycle.

This time cycle has two main halves:

• Utsarpiṇī – ascending time cycle
• Avasarpiṇī – descending time cycle

Each half-cycle is divided into six Ārās.

Explanation

1. Avasarpiṇī – Descending Time Cycle

Avasarpiṇī means the period in which happiness, lifespan, strength, morality, and spiritual capacity gradually decline.

The six ārās of Avasarpiṇī are:

• 1. Suṣamā-Suṣamā – extremely happy period
• 2. Suṣamā – happy period
• 3. Suṣamā-Duṣamā – more happiness, some sorrow
• 4. Duṣamā-Suṣamā – more sorrow, some happiness
• 5. Duṣamā – sorrowful period
• 6. Duṣamā-Duṣamā – extremely sorrowful period

According to Jain tradition, we are currently living in the 5th ārā of Avasarpiṇī, called Duṣamā Ārā.

2. Utsarpiṇī – Ascending Time Cycle

Utsarpiṇī means the period in which conditions gradually improve. Happiness, lifespan, strength, and morality slowly increase again.

Its six ārās are in reverse order:

• 1. Duṣamā-Duṣamā – extremely sorrowful period
• 2. Duṣamā – sorrowful period
• 3. Duṣamā-Suṣamā – more sorrow, some happiness
• 4. Suṣamā-Duṣamā – more happiness, some sorrow
• 5. Suṣamā – happy period
• 6. Suṣamā-Suṣamā – extremely happy period

After Avasarpiṇī ends, Utsarpiṇī begins. After Utsarpiṇī ends, Avasarpiṇī begins again. This cycle continues forever.

Important Features of the Ārās

• In the earlier ārās, people are naturally peaceful, long-lived, tall, strong, and spiritually simple.
• As the descending cycle progresses, human lifespan, physical strength, happiness, and morality decrease.
• Tīrthankars appear only in certain periods, especially during the 3rd and 4th ārās of the cycle.
• Lord Ṛṣabhdev, the 1st Tīrthankar, appeared in the 3rd ārā of the present Avasarpiṇī.
• The remaining 23 Tīrthankars of this cycle appeared in the 4th ārā.
• Lord Mahāvīr attained nirvāṇ near the end of the 4th ārā.
• The present 5th ārā began after Lord Mahāvīr’s nirvāṇ.

Spiritual Understanding

The Jain time cycle teaches us that worldly conditions are always changing. Happiness and sorrow rise and fall according to time, karma, and the nature of the cycle.

But the soul’s true nature does not change. The soul is capable of:

• Right faith
• Right knowledge
• Right conduct
• Liberation from karma

Even though the present 5th ārā is considered spiritually difficult, Jain Dharma teaches that one can still live with:

• Ahimsā
• Self-control
• Compassion
• Detachment
• Devotion to the teachings of the Jinas

Takeaway

The Jain time cycle is eternal and moves through ascending and descending phases. We are currently in the 5th ārā of Avasarpiṇī, a time of spiritual decline, but sincere practice of Jain principles can still purify the soul and guide us toward liberation.