Lord Mahavira

Author(s): C R Bhansali
Publisher: M and P Consultancy and Marketing Co Delhi

Page 99

98 / Lord Mahavira
States of Existence
Jainism recognizes four states of existence. Celestial state of existence (devagati). Human state of existence (manusyagati). Animal state of existence (triyaggati). Infernal state of existence (narakagati). Jaina thinkers firmly belived that every individual has to bear the consequences of his own karmas in this life or another life. The good deeds have good results and take the jiva to celestial and human states of existence. The bad deeds have their evil effects and take the jiva to animal and an infernal state. The fruition of the deeds depends upon the length, duration and intensity of different kind of karma. Sometimes the jiva receives the result of his deed in this life. If not in this life, then in the next life or next to next and there after.