Answer

In Jain Dharma, souls cannot attain moksha in the current time because we are living in the fifth era, called Duṣamā Kāla, of the descending time cycle. In this era, the spiritual, physical, and moral capacities of human beings are considered too weak to complete the highest level of purification required for liberation.

Explanation

According to Jain cosmology, time moves in cycles:

• Utsarpiṇī — ascending time cycle
• Avasarpiṇī — descending time cycle

Each cycle has six eras. We are currently in the fifth era of Avasarpiṇī, known as Duṣamā Kāla.

In Jain tradition, moksha requires the complete destruction of all karmas through:

• Right Faith
• Right Knowledge
• Right Conduct
• Perfect detachment
• Destruction of ghāti and aghāti karmas

During the present era, people may still practice dharma, take vows, do tapasya, study scriptures, and progress spiritually. However, the capacity to reach the final stages such as kevalajñāna and moksha is not available in this time period according to traditional Jain belief.

Moksha became unavailable after the time of Lord Mahāvīr’s direct spiritual era ended. The last liberated soul in this descending half-cycle is traditionally understood to be Jambū Swāmī, the chief disciple in the lineage after Lord Mahāvīr.

Spiritual Understanding

This does not mean spiritual practice is useless today. Jain Dharma teaches that every act of samyaktva, restraint, compassion, tapasya, and self-control reduces karmic bondage and prepares the soul for future spiritual advancement.

Even if moksha is not attainable right now, one can still:

• Develop Right Faith
• Reduce passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed
• Practice ahiṃsā and self-discipline
• Bind auspicious karma
• Move closer to liberation in a future birth

Takeaway

Souls cannot attain moksha in the current era because this is Duṣamā Kāla, a spiritually declining age. But sincere Jain practice still purifies the soul and prepares it for eventual liberation in a future time when moksha becomes possible again.