why do some people climb 4th gunashthan and come back down

In Jainism, the disposal of human waste, including urination and excretion, is governed by the **Utsarga or Pärishthäpanikä Samiti** (meticulosity pertaining to disposal of wastes) [1]. This rule is primarily for monks and nuns, who are instructed to dispose of their waste in a lonely place that is not inhabited by living beings, to avoid causing any violence or harm to the minute creatures that may be present [1]. Jainism forbade the use of latrines and urinals by the monastic order because these places are breeding grounds for germs and insects; ascetics are advised to stay outside the city so their waste can be disposed of properly [1]. The core principle is that even the disposal of waste must be done with utmost care and vigilance (Upayoga) to ensure it does not cause violence, hurt, or inconvenience to any living being [1]. For lay Jains (householders), the same principle of non-violence applies, though they are not bound by the strict monastic rules. In general, they are expected to use toilets and dispose of waste in a manner that minimizes harm to living beings, following the broader Jain ethical framework of Ahimsä (non-violence) in all activities. The strict rules about using lonely, uninhabited places and avoiding latrines are specific to the ascetic order, as they have renounced worldly life and must take every possible precaution to avoid even minute violence [1].

Based on the provided context, the question of whether Jains can have milk is a matter of significant debate within the community, with a strong modern movement against it. The core issue is that while milk is not explicitly forbidden in ancient Jain scriptures, the modern dairy industry involves cruelty to cows, which are five-sensed (Panchendriya) animals. Cruelty to such animals is considered the highest sin in Jainism, and the sources argue that the cruelty in milk production is worse than in meat production, as dairy cows are tortured, their male calves are killed, and they are slaughtered after only 4-5 years of their natural 15-20 year life [1][5]. The context strongly advocates for Jains to avoid dairy products, especially in temple rituals, suggesting substitutes like water, almond milk, or soya milk [3][4]. It notes that while both Shvetämbar and Digambar sects traditionally use milk in rituals, no scriptures support this, and it may have been acceptable in the past when cows were treated as family and only leftover milk was consumed [3][5]. The sources highlight that about 10-15% of Jain youth in America are vegans, while less than 0.5% of adults are, indicating a generational shift in understanding the cruelty involved [1][4]. Ultimately, the decision is left to individual reflection, but the context clearly presents a strong case that consuming dairy in today's environment violates the Jain principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) [4].

The most famous Jain scriptures are the **Agam Sutras** (also called Jain Agam or Siddhanta), which are the canonical texts compiled from the oral teachings of Bhagwan Mahavira by his immediate disciples, the Ganadhars [1][3]. These were originally passed down orally for about a thousand years before being recorded on leafy papers (Tadpatris) around 980 years after Mahavira's nirvana, with a major written redaction led by Devardhi-gani Kshamashraman at the Vallabhi Council (~466 A.D.) [1][4]. The Agam literature is traditionally divided into several categories, including the **12 Ang-agams** (the primary scriptures), **12 Upangas**, **6 Chhed-sutras**, **4 Mool-sutras**, **10 Prakirnas**, and **2 Chulikas** [4]. Key individual scriptures include: - **Acharang Sutra** – the first Ang-agam, describing ascetic conduct and the five great vows [3] - **Sutra-kratang**, **Sthanang**, and **Bhagavati (Vhakhya-prajnapti)** – other major Ang-agams [2] - **Uttaradhyayana Sutra** – Mahavira's last sermon and a Mool-sutra [3] - **Kalpasutra** – a famous text by Bhadrabahuswami [3] - **Tattvarth Sutra** – a key philosophical text beginning with "Samyag darsana jnana chartrani mokshamargh" [3] Notably, the **12th Ang-agam (Drashtivad)** and the **14 Purvas** are extinct in both major sects, while the Digambar tradition lost all 12 Ang-agams and relies on substitute literature such as works by Acharya Kundakunda (e.g., **Samaysar**, **Niyamsar**, **Panchastikaya**, **Pravachansar**) [2][3].

The provided text does not explicitly state the specific rebirth for people who perform *tapasya* (penance) without any intention. However, it emphasizes that penance is most beneficial and "good and beautiful" when it is practiced without any hope for results or desire for fruit [1]. In contrast, the text provides examples of the outcomes of specific intentions: * **With desire for results:** Saint Vishvabhuti turned his penance into a *Nidana* (agent) to ruin an enemy; despite this, he was reborn as a god in the Mahashukra region [1]. * **With spiritual intent:** Those who observe austerities and remain vigilant in their vows until death may be reborn as celestial beings (Padma Leshyä) or as humans/angels (Shukla Leshyä) [3].

According to Jain scriptures, nine specific individuals are destined to become Tirthankars in the coming (next) Utsarpini cycle of time. These are: (1) Krishna Vasudeva, (2) Baladeva Rama, (3) Udak Pedhalaputra, (4) Pottila, (5) Grihapati Shatak, (6) Nirgranth Daruk, (7) Nirgranthiputra Satyaki, (8) Shravika Ammad (or Buddhamma) Parivrajak, and (9) Arya Suparshva [1]. These nine souls will propagate the four-limbed religion (Chaturyam Dharma) in that future progressive half-cycle and will attain liberation (Siddha, Buddha, Mukta) [1]. The Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra provides a more detailed list of the 24 future Tirthankars, mapping the souls of specific contemporary figures to their future roles. For example, Shrenika's soul will become the first future Tirthankar, Padmanabha; Suparshva's soul will become Suradeva; Pottila's soul will become Suparshva; and Dridhayu's soul will become Svayamprabhu [4]. The list continues through all 24, including souls such as Satyaki (becoming Suvrata), Baladeva (becoming Nishkashaya), Sulasa (becoming Nirmama), and Revati (becoming Citragupta), culminating with Svati's soul becoming the 24th Tirthankar, Bhadrakrit [4]. Additionally, the story of Marichi, the son of King Bharata, is notable: he is told he will be the first Vasudeva, a Chakrabhrit, and ultimately the 24th Arhat (Mahavira) in the future cycle [3].

Based on the provided scriptures, the supernatural powers described for omniscients (those who have attained kevalajñāna) are vast and multifaceted. The core power is omniscience itself—infinite, indestructible, perfect knowledge that knows all substances of the three worlds and the three times directly and simultaneously, without relying on sensory knowledge [1]. This omniscience is one of the four infinitudes (ananta catuṣṭaya) of the soul, which also include infinite perception, infinite bliss, and infinite energy [2][5]. Beyond the fundamental power of omniscience, the scriptures describe a range of miraculous accomplishments (rddhi) and attributes. For example, the Ganadhara (chief disciple) is said to possess eight miraculous accomplishments, including the power of bodily transformations (vikriyārddhi), the power to move in air, water, and fire (kriyārddhi), and the power to feed innumerable beings with limited food (kṣetrarddhi) [1]. The Arhat (omniscient being) is also described as having thirty-four miraculous happenings (atiśaya) and eight splendours (prātihārya), which include a divine voice without lip movement (divya dhvani), a halo of unmatched luminance (bhāmandal), and a shower of fragrant flowers (puṣpa-varṣā) [2][5]. Additionally, other beings with special powers (labdhi) are described as having abilities such as turning their bodily fluids into fragrant medicine (Sarvaushadhi labdhi), giving every part of the body the capacity to hear (Sambhinnashroto labdhi), and various extraordinary memory powers like the capacity to elaborate the meaning of an aphorism into a vast canon (Beej buddhi) [4].