Arihant (Jainism)

rdf:langString Arihant (Jainism)

rdf:langString Arihant (Jain Prakrit: arihant, Sanskrit: अरिहन्त, lit. 'conqueror') is a jiva (soul) who has conquered inner passions such as attachment, anger, pride and greed. Having destroyed four inimical karmas, they realize pure self. Arihants are also called kevalins (omniscient beings) as they possess kevala jnana (pure infinite knowledge). An arihant is also called a jina ("victor"). At the end of their life, arihants destroy remaining karmas and attain moksha (liberation) and become siddhas. Arihantas have a body while siddhas are bodiless pure spirit. The Ṇamōkāra mantra, the fundamental prayer dedicated to Pañca-Parameṣṭhi (five supreme beings), begins with Ṇamō arihantāṇaṁ, "obeisance to the arihants". Kevalins - omniscient beings - are said to be of two kinds 1. * Tirthankara kevalī: 24 human spiritual guides who after attaining omniscience teach the path to salvation. 2. * Sāmānya kevalī: Kevalins who are concerned with their own liberation. According to Jains, every soul has the potential to become an arihant. A soul which destroys all kashayas or inner enemies like anger, ego, deception, and greed, responsible for the perpetuation of ignorance, becomes an arihant.