History

The tradition of the Vitragi Jain Shasan has continued since time immemorial, as it is founded upon eternal truth. This eternal truth remains unchanged in any era. In the sacred stream of this glorious tradition, within the Bharat region of Jambudweep, from the first Tirthankara of this set, Bhagwan Rishabhdev, to the last Tirthankara, Bhagwan Mahavir, the Jain philosophy has established the structure of reality based on eternal truth. After Bhagwan Mahavir, many Acharyas, Saints, Scholars, and learned Pandits have, through their spiritual practice and for the welfare of noble souls, continuously upheld the flow of this Jain philosophy.

According to Jain tradition, the cycle of time in the Bharat region undergoes change. Although the flow of time is beginningless and endless, this time cycle is divided into six segments.

Just as every part of a moving wheel travels from bottom to top and top to bottom, similarly, these six divisions of time continuously change in sequence. When the world moves from happiness toward sorrow, and there is a gradual decline in knowledge and other qualities among living beings, that time cycle is called 'Avsarpini Kaal'. Conversely, when beings progress from sorrow toward happiness, with a gradual increase in knowledge and virtues, that cycle is called ‘Utsarpini Kaal.

The total duration of Avsarpini and Utsarpini together is twenty Kodakodi Sagaropama, which is referred to as one Kalpakal. After countless Avsarpini cycles, a Hunda-Avsarpini Kaal (extremely degraded era) arises. Currently, the fifth era of such a Hunda-Avsarpini Kaal is ongoing in the Bharata region. Out of its 21,000 years, approximately 2,546 years have passed, and around 18,454 years remain.