Concept

Nirjara

Overview

Nirjara is one of the seven fundamental principles, or Tattva in Jain philosophy, and refers to the shedding or removal of accumulated karmas from the atma (soul), essential for breaking free from samsara, the cycle of birth-death and rebirth, by achieving moksha, liberation.

Literally meaning "falling off", the concept is described first in chapter 9 of the classical Jain text, Tattvartha Sutra (True nature of Reality) written by Acharya Umasvati, in 2nd century CE, the only text authoritative in both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sects of Jainism. Later it also finds mention in Dravyasamgraha (Compendium of substances), a 10th-century Jain text by Acharya Nemichandra.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

Philosophers who discussed Nirjara

• Tattvartha Sutra
• Samayasāra

Related ideas

• Ahimsa in Jainism
• Jain philosophy
• Kevala jnana
• Moksha (Jainism)
• Satya
• Non-possession
• Omniscience
• Tattvartha Sutra
• Umaswati
• Śvetāmbara
• Brahmacharya
• Jain monasticism
• Achourya
• Karma in Jainism
• Maya (religion)
• Asceticism
• Bandha (Jainism)
• Ratnatraya
• Nemichandra

Place in the tradition

Part of Jain philosophy.

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