Answer

Mithyatva means false belief, wrong understanding, or deluded worldview about reality.

In Jain Dharma, mithyatva is the state in which the soul does not understand truth properly and instead believes in wrong ideas about:

• the soul
• karma
• Dharma
• right conduct
• liberation
• the nature of reality

It is the opposite of Samyag Darshan, which means right faith or right perception.

Explanation

A person under mithyatva may:

• believe the body is the self
• deny the existence or importance of the soul
• not accept karma and its consequences
• consider sinful actions harmless
• follow wrong teachers or wrong beliefs
• misunderstand the path of liberation

In Jain philosophy, mithyatva is considered very harmful because it keeps the soul trapped in saṃsāra, the cycle of birth and death.

Spiritual Understanding

Mithyatva is not just lack of knowledge. It is a deep inner delusion caused by Mohaniya Karma, especially Darshan Mohaniya Karma, which obstructs right faith.

When mithyatva is removed, the soul begins to develop Samyag Darshan. This is the foundation of the Jain path, because without right faith, right knowledge and right conduct cannot fully arise.

Takeaway

Mithyatva means seeing reality wrongly. Jain Dharma teaches that overcoming mithyatva and attaining Samyag Darshan is the first essential step toward liberation.