Answer

In Jain Dharma, Bhagwan Mahavir taught that in the present era of the time-cycle, known as Duṣamā Kāla or the 5th Ara, human beings cannot attain Keval-jñān.

This is because the spiritual strength, physical capacity, purity, discipline, and overall conditions of souls in this era are considered too weak for the direct attainment of omniscience.

Explanation

According to Jain cosmology, time moves in cycles, and each half-cycle has six eras. We are currently in the 5th Ara of the descending time-cycle.

In earlier eras, especially during the time of Bhagwan Mahavir, souls had greater spiritual capacity and could attain:

• Keval-jñān — perfect omniscience
• Moksha — liberation
• Very high levels of tapa, samyag-darshan, and charitra

But in the present 5th Ara, Jain tradition holds that:

• No one can attain Keval-jñān
• No one can attain Moksha directly from this region
• No new Tirthankar appears in Bharat Kshetra

This does not mean spiritual progress is impossible. It means the final stages of spiritual perfection are not attainable here in this era.

Spiritual Understanding

The teaching is not meant to discourage us. It reminds us to be realistic and humble.

Even if Keval-jñān is not attainable in the present era, Jain Dharma teaches that we can still:

• Develop samyag-darshan — right faith
• Practice ahimsa, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession
• Observe vows, pratikraman, tapa, and meditation
• Reduce karmas
• Move closer to liberation in future births

So the goal now is to purify the soul as much as possible and prepare for higher spiritual progress in future conditions.

Takeaway

Bhagwan Mahavir’s teaching, as preserved in Jain tradition, is that in the present 5th Ara, Keval-jñān cannot be attained. But sincere Jain practice still has immense value because it purifies the soul and leads it toward eventual liberation.