Answer

In Jain Dharma and Hindu Dharma, some divine names and beings are commonly known in both traditions, but their meaning and status are different.

Commonly known names include:

• Indra
• Lakshmi
• Saraswati
• Kubera
• Nāgas / serpent deities
• Yakshas and Yakshinis

Explanation

In Hindu Dharma, many of these beings may be worshipped as gods and goddesses with major devotional importance.

In Jain Dharma, such beings are generally understood as devas or celestial beings. They are powerful and long-lived, but they are still within saṃsāra, the cycle of birth and death. They are not liberated souls.

Jain Dharma gives the highest spiritual reverence to:

• Arihants – enlightened beings who have destroyed inner passions
• Siddhas – liberated souls who have attained moksha
• Acharyas
• Upadhyayas
• Sadhus / Sadhvis

These are honored in the Namokar Mantra.

Spiritual Understanding

Jainism does not accept a creator God who controls the universe. Even heavenly beings like Indra are respected, but they are not considered supreme or liberated.

For example, in Jain tradition, Indra is often shown honoring the Tirthankars, especially at important events such as a Tirthankar’s birth. This shows that even devas revere the enlightened ones.

Takeaway

Some divine names are common in Jain and Hindu traditions, but Jain Dharma understands them differently. In Jainism, the highest beings are not creator gods, but liberated and enlightened souls who show the path to moksha.