If I see a woman drowning is it ok to walk past her

Based on the provided context, the ability to see past lives (jati-smaran-jnana) is not exclusive to beings in swarga (heaven). The sources describe three main ways anyone can acquire this knowledge: 1. **By one's own memory**: A person can suddenly acquire jati-smaran-jnana and recall their earlier birth, as Brahmadatt Chakravarti did when he saw a play. [2] 2. **Through omniscients**: One can learn of past lives through the words of Tirthankars or other omniscients, as Megh Muni remembered his birth as an elephant through Bhagavan Mahavir's discourse. [2] 3. **Through others**: Knowledge can come through the words of Avadhijnanis (those with clairvoyant perception) or other ascetics, as the sons of Bhrigu Purohit learned about their earlier births through the discourse of ascetics. [2] Regarding beings in heaven specifically, the context notes that "the hellish creatures, the gods and the Tīrthankaras have clairvoyant perceptions from their births and they can see wholly." [1] This indicates that gods in swarga possess clairvoyant perception (avadhi-jnana) from birth, which would include the ability to see past lives. However, the context also provides examples of humans, like Prince Mrigaputra, who gained jati-smaran-jnana spontaneously, and a farmer who acquired the memory of his former births. [4][5] So while gods in heaven have this ability innately, it is not limited to them—humans can also acquire it through spiritual efforts or the grace of enlightened beings.

In Jainism, the ability to see one's past life is associated with the attainment of **Kevaljnän (omniscience)**, which is perfect and total knowledge. The Jinas (spiritual conquerors) who achieved this state have explained the reality of rebirth and past lives, as noted in the context: "Jinas who had Kevaljnän (omniscience) have explained that there is life after death" [1]. This omniscience is realized when a soul completely removes all Ghati karmas (the karmas that obscure knowledge and perception), leading to perfect knowledge, vision, and bliss [3]. More specifically, the ability to recall past lives is a spiritual power that develops as one progresses on the path of liberation. While the context emphasizes that all human beings have the potential to become a Jina through personal effort [2], the full and direct knowledge of past lives is typically attributed to those who have reached a very high spiritual state, such as **Arihantas** (those who have conquered inner passions and attained Kevaljnän) and **Tirthankaras** (the 24 spiritual leaders who re-establish the Jain order) [5]. These enlightened beings, having destroyed all destructive karmas, possess the omniscience that includes complete knowledge of all past, present, and future existences.

Yes, the devas (gods) can be seen, and Jain scriptures describe their clairvoyant perception (avadhi-jnana) in detail, which also implies their visibility to beings with the appropriate perceptual abilities. The range of what devas can see depends on their celestial abode: gods in the Saudharma and Īśāna heavens see up to the first hellish ground, those in Sanatkumāra and Mahendra see up to the second, Brahma and Lāntaka gods up to the third, and Śukra and Sahasrāra gods up to the fourth [1]. Gods in Āṇata, Parāṇata, Araṇa, and Acyuta heavens see up to the fifth hellish ground, the Graiveyaka gods up to the sixth or seventh, and the gods of the five Anuttaravimānas can see the entire universe downwards [1][2]. Additionally, the devas themselves are visible to humans under certain conditions. The context notes that hellish creatures, gods, and Tīrthaṅkaras have clairvoyant perception from birth and can see wholly, while others who acquire it through spiritual efforts see only partially [1]. In general Jain belief, devas possess luminous, transformable bodies and can appear to humans, particularly to those with spiritual attainments or during auspicious events like the pañcakalyāṇaka celebrations of a Tīrthaṅkara [3]. However, ordinary humans typically cannot see them without such special perceptual abilities or divine intervention.

No, being a woman is not a sin in Jainism. The Jain texts contain strong warnings about the dangers of lust and attachment to women, describing them in harsh terms as temptresses who can lead men astray from spiritual discipline [3][4]. However, these passages are aimed at monks and spiritual aspirants warning against sensual desire, not condemning women as inherently sinful beings. In fact, Jain scripture explicitly rejects the idea that women are inherently flawed. Source 2 states that while some women have faults, so do many men, and it would be wrong to condemn the entire female sex based on the actions of some [2]. The text praises virtuous women, noting that the mothers of the Tīrthaṅkaras are women, and that even Indra and great monks praise them for their virtues [2]. It also mentions that women like Sulasa were praised by the Tīrthaṅkara himself, and that some women are destined for liberation (moksha) in this very life or within a few births [2]. Therefore, a woman's spiritual status depends on her conduct and virtue, not her gender.

Yes, we can see the devas (gods), but the extent of what they can see depends on their celestial abode, and this is described in detail in Jain cosmology. The devas possess clairvoyant perception (avadhi-jñāna) from birth, which allows them to see downward into the hellish grounds and upward to the domes of their own kalpas (heavens) [1]. For example, the gods of the Saudharma and Īśāna heavens can see up to the first hellish ground, while those in the Sanatkumāra and Mahendra heavens see up to the second, and so on, with the gods of the five Anuttaravimānas able to see the entire universe downwards [1][2]. The devas are also visible to humans under certain conditions. In general, celestial beings like the devas can be perceived through spiritual practices, such as developing clairvoyant knowledge, or through divine grace. The texts note that hellish creatures, gods, and Tīrthaṅkaras have clairvoyant perception from birth and can see wholly, while others who acquire it through spiritual efforts can see only partially [1]. Additionally, the devas themselves are described as having transformable bodies and being born in special beds, and they are said to celebrate and worship Lord Jina, indicating their presence in the cosmic order [3]. So, while direct vision of devas may require spiritual attainment, their existence and activities are well-documented in the scriptures.

This is a delicate family situation, and the key is to explain your family’s values to your children in a way that is honest, compassionate, and consistent, without undermining their mother. You can tell them that in our family, we follow the principle of *Ahimsa* (non-violence), which means we try to avoid causing harm or suffering to any living being [3]. Explain that eggs come from chickens, and the egg industry involves a lot of cruelty—hens are kept in tiny, crowded cages, are debeaked, and are treated like "egg-producing machines" [3][4]. Even unfertilized eggs support this industry, and a fertilized egg is the pre-birth stage of a chick [3][5]. So, for us, eating eggs is not in line with our commitment to compassion. Regarding the difference with your wife, it's important to be honest with your children without creating conflict. You can say something like: "Mommy and I have different views on this, and that's okay. We both love you very much. For me, following our Jain values of *Ahimsa* is very important, and that's why I choose not to eat eggs. You can make your own informed choice as you grow up, but I want to share with you why this matters to me." This approach respects your wife's autonomy while clearly communicating your own values and the reasoning behind them, allowing your children to understand the "why" rather than just a rule.