Can a person opt nirvana in jain? After mahavira
Short answer: Yes—any soul can attain nirvana (moksha) in Jainism even after Bhagwan Mahavira. But in our present time-period and region there is an important nuance.
- What “nirvana” means: complete liberation of the soul by totally destroying all karmas through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (Ratnatraya).
- Time-cycle condition: We are in the 5th ara (duṣamā) of the current time-cycle in Bhārat Kṣetra. In this specific era and land, no new Kevalins arise and no one attains final moksha. This is accepted by both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions.
- Where liberation is possible now: In Mahāvideha Kṣetra, Tīrthaṅkaras are present, and souls can still attain kevalajñāna and then moksha. A person here should purify conduct and destroy karmas so that, by future rebirth in Mahāvideha, liberation can be achieved there.
- What to do now:
Essence: After Mahavira’s nirvana, the path remains fully valid. Immediate final liberation does not occur in today’s Bhārat Kṣetra, but steady practice here leads to the right rebirth (especially in Mahāvideha) where moksha is indeed attainable.