DHARAM SHIKSHA - 25 BOL (BOL 1)
Have you ever wondered, “Where do living beings go after this life?”
According to our Jain philosophy, every living being has a soul. The soul keeps taking birth again and again because of its karmas (remember the 8 karmas?).
Depending on the karmas we have accumulated, the soul can be born in any one of four different Gatis.
These four Gatis are:
Narak Gati – Naarakis or the souls living in Narak
Tiryanch Gati – Animals, birds, insects, plants and other non-human living beings
Manushya Gati – Human beings
Dev Gati – Devs in Dev Lok
Let's understand each one in a simple way!
1. Narak Gati – The Worst Gati
The first Gati is Narak Gati.
When a soul accumulates very heavy and bad karmas, it will be born in Narak Gati.
The beings living there are called Naaraki.
They experience a great deal of pain and suffering. There is no happiness or comfort in Narak at all.
But remember something important:
👉 Jainism does not say that a soul goes to Narak forever.
A soul stays there only for the duration determined by its karmas. When those karmas are finished, the soul takes another birth according to its remaining karmas.
4 Reasons why a soul is born in Narak Gati:
Maha Aarambh - doing business that involves a lot of violence
Maha Parigraha - never-ending greed
Panchendriya Vadh - killing five-sensed beings
Kunimahar - eating non-vegetarian food
2. Tiryanch Gati – The Animal and Plant Gati
The second Gati is Tiryanch Gati.
This includes a very large number of living beings.
For example: 🐶 Dogs🐱 Cats🐘 Elephants🐦 Birds🐜 Ants🦋 Butterflies🐍 Snakes🌳 Plants and trees - they are all Tiryanch.
In Jain philosophy, animals, insects, birds and plants are all living beings with souls.
Isn't that interesting?
That is why Jainism teaches us to be kind and compassionate towards every living being.
Even a tiny ant has a soul.
Even a plant has a soul.
So the next time you see a small insect, remember:
“This too is a Jeev.” ❤️
4 Reasons why a soul is born in Tiryanch Gati:
Maya – Pretending to be someone you are not
Maya with Kapat – Cheating or deceiving others with a hidden motive
Jhooth Bolna – Telling lies
Khota Naap-Tol Karna – Using false weights or measurements to cheat others
3. Manushya Gati – The Human Gati
Now comes the Gati that we are all experiencing right now – Manushya Gati.
Being born as a human is considered very precious in Jainism.
But why?
Because as human beings, we have the ability to:
🧠 Think and understand🙏 Learn about Dharma💭 Distinguish between right and wrong❤️ Practise compassion🧘 Control our desires📿 Follow the path shown by the Tirthankaras
Think about it.
An animal cannot easily sit in a Dharam Shiksha class and learn about Navkar Mantra, Karmas, Ahimsa or the 25 Bol... But YOU can!
That is why human life is considered a wonderful opportunity to progress spiritually.
4 Reasons why a soul is born in Manushya Gati:
Vinamrata (Humility) – Being humble and respectful
Bhadra Swabhav (Gentle Nature) – Being kind, well-mannered and good-hearted
Irshya Nahi Karna (No Jealousy) – Being happy for others instead of feeling jealous
Daya aur Anukampa (Compassion) – Being caring and kind towards all living beings
4. Dev Gati – The Most Comfort-filled Gati
The fourth Gati is Dev Gati.
The beings born in Dev Gati are called Devs.
They experience great pleasures, comforts and happiness because of their good karmas.
Sounds wonderful, right?
But here is something very important to remember:
👉 Even Dev Gati is not the final goal of Jainism.
Why?
Because Dev Gati is also a temporary state.
When the karmas responsible for that birth are exhausted, the soul leaves Dev Gati and takes another birth according to its karmas.
So even if someone enjoys a lot of happiness in Dev Gati, they are still within the cycle of birth and death.
The ultimate goal of Jainism is not to become a Dev, but to attain Moksha by shedding ALL the karmas!
4 Reasons why a soul is born in Dev Gati:
Saraag Sanyam - Self-control practiced by our Sadhus.
Sanyam-Asanyam - Self-control practiced by Shravaks.
Bal Tap - Tapasya, but without intent. Just like a beggar stays hungry for days, but his intention is not to fast or do tapasya.
Akaam Nirjara - Sometimes, when a Jeev undergoes a lot of pain and suffering involuntarily, that is "Akaam Nirjara." Suppose you caught flu and had to experience fever and body ache for days. This physical suffering may result in some karmic shedding, but because you did not intentionally undertake it as a spiritual practice, it is called "Akaam Nirjara."
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