Arihant (Jainism)

Arihant (Jain Prakrit: अरिहन्त, Sanskrit: अर्हत् arhat, 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.^[1] Arihants are also called kevalins (omniscient beings) as they possess kevala jnana (pure infinite knowledge).^[2]^[3] 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^[2]

Tirthankara kevalī: 24 human spiritual guides who after attaining omniscience teach the path to salvation.^[4]
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.^[1]

^ ^a ^b Sangave 2001, p. 15.
^ ^a ^b Sangave 2001, p. 16.
^ Sangave 2001, p. 164.
^ Rankin 2013, p. 40.

[FOOTNOTESangave200115-1] Sangave 2001, p. 15.

[FOOTNOTESangave200116-2] Sangave 2001, p. 16.

[FOOTNOTESangave2001164-3] Sangave 2001, p. 164.

[FOOTNOTERankin201340-4] Rankin 2013, p. 40.

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