Jain cosmology Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the Universe (''loka'') and its constituents (such as living beings, matter, space, time etc.) according to Jainism. Jain cosmology considers the universe as an uncreated entity t ...

, the Nigoda is a realm existing in which the lowest forms of invisible life reside in endless numbers, and without any hope of release by self-effort.

Jain scriptures Jain literature () refers to the literature of the Jain religion. It is a vast and ancient literary tradition, which was initially transmitted orally. The oldest surviving material is contained in the canonical ''Jain Agamas'', which are wri ...

describe nigodas which are

microorganism A microorganism, or microbe, is an organism of microscopic scale, microscopic size, which may exist in its unicellular organism, single-celled form or as a Colony (biology)#Microbial colonies, colony of cells. The possible existence of unseen ...

s Kanti V. Mardia, Aidan D. Rankin: Living Jainism. An Ethical Science, Alresford 2013. living in large clusters, having only one sense,Meera Baindur: Nature in Indian Philosophy and Cultural Traditions, Sophia Studies in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Traditions and Cultures 12, New Delhi 2015, p. 100. having a very short life and are said to pervade each and every part of universe, even in tissues of plants and flesh of animals. The Nigoda exists in contrast to the Supreme Abode, also located at the Siddhashila (top of the universe) where liberated souls exist in omnisciencent and eternal bliss. According to Jain tradition, it is said that when a human being achieves liberation (

Moksha ''Moksha'' (; , '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'', and ''mukti'', is a term in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, liberation, '' nirvana'', or release. In its soteriological and eschatologic ...

) or if a human would be born as a Nigoda due to

karma Karma (, from , ; ) is an ancient Indian concept that refers to an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called ...

, another from the Nigoda is given the potential of self-effort and hope. Nigoda belongs in the lowest class of Jiva (soul).

Characteristics

The life in ''Nigoda'' is that of a sub-microscopic organism possessing only one sense, i.e., of touch.

Notes

References

* Jain cosmology Microorganisms {{cosmology-stub