Question
Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?
ADeva (gods)
BYaksha (demi-gods)
CManushya (humans)
DTiryancha (animals and plants)
Simple Explanation — Understand in 2 Minutes
What are “Forms of Existence” in Jainism?
In Jainism, every soul (Jiva) keeps taking birth and dying in a cycle called Samsara. When a soul dies, it is reborn into one of four destinies called Gatis — based on its accumulated karma. Think of them as the four possible “next lives” a soul can have.
The Four Gatis (destinies) are:
1. Deva — Reborn as a heavenly being (god) due to good karma
2. Manushya — Reborn as a human — the ONLY state from which Moksha is possible
3. Tiryancha — Reborn as an animal, plant or micro-organism
4. Naraki — Reborn in hell due to very bad karma — this is the MISSING option from the question!
2. Manushya — Reborn as a human — the ONLY state from which Moksha is possible
3. Tiryancha — Reborn as an animal, plant or micro-organism
4. Naraki — Reborn in hell due to very bad karma — this is the MISSING option from the question!
Why is Yaksha NOT one of the four Gatis?
Yakshas are attendant spirits and guardian deities of the Tirthankaras in Jainism — called Shasanadevatas. They are part of the Jain religious tradition as protectors, but they are NOT listed as one of the four cosmic destinies that a soul can be reborn into. UPSC cleverly substituted “Naraki” (the real 4th Gati) with “Yaksha” to create the trap.
The UPSC Trap Explained
The question asks what is NOT included. Three options (Deva, Manushya, Tiryancha) are genuine Gatis. Yaksha is a distractor — it sounds religious and Jain, but is NOT a Gati. The actual 4th Gati (Naraki = hell beings) is not given as an option at all. A student who doesn’t know all four Gatis will struggle.
The Four Gatis — Complete Picture
Deva Gati
Heavenly Beings
✓ Real Gati
Reborn due to accumulated good karma. Enjoy pleasure and bliss but CANNOT attain Moksha from this state. Must be reborn as human first.
Manushya Gati
Human Beings
✓ Real Gati
Most desirable state. ONLY humans can practice the spiritual discipline needed to achieve Moksha (liberation from Samsara).
Tiryancha Gati
Animals & Plants
✓ Real Gati
Includes all animals, birds, insects, plants and micro-organisms (nigodas). Result of moderate negative karma. Limited spiritual capacity.
Naraki Gati
Hell Beings
✓ Real Gati
Reborn in hellish realms due to heavy negative karma. State of immense suffering. This is the MISSING 4th Gati that the question replaced with Yaksha.
What Are Yakshas in Jainism? — Why the Confusion
❌ Yaksha — Why It is NOT a Gati
What Yakshas are: In Jain tradition, Yakshas (male) and Yakshinis (female) are divine attendants called Shasanadevatas — they guard and serve each of the 24 Tirthankaras. Example: Gomukha is the Yaksha of Rishabhanatha; Matanga is the Yaksha of Mahavira.
What Yakshas are NOT: They are not listed anywhere in Jain cosmology as one of the four Gatis (destinies of rebirth). They are protective spirits, not a cosmic category of existence.
Why UPSC used Yaksha as a distractor: Yakshas appear in Jain iconography and texts — making them sound authentically Jain. Students who have read about Jain art see Yaksha figures around Tirthankaras and assume it must be a major category. That is the trap.
Sub-categories within Deva Gati: The heavenly beings (Deva) in Jainism are divided into 4 orders — Bhavanavasi, Vyantara, Jyotishka, and Vaimanika. Yakshas may fall under the Vyantara (intermediary) class — but this does NOT make them a separate Gati.
Jainism — Gati System Key Facts
| Parameter | Detail |
| Sanskrit term | Chatur Gati — Four Destinies of Rebirth |
| Four Gatis | Deva · Manushya · Tiryancha · Naraki |
| NOT a Gati | Yaksha — guardian figure, not a destiny |
| Best Gati | Manushya — only humans can attain Moksha |
| Worst Gati | Naraki — maximum suffering in hell realms |
| What drives rebirth? | Karma accumulated through actions, thoughts and speech |
| Goal of Jainism | Escape the cycle of Gatis entirely through Moksha (Kaivalya) |
| Tiryancha sub-types | Ekendriyas (1 sense) and Nigodas (only touch sense — lowest form) |
| Deva sub-orders | Bhavanavasi · Vyantara · Jyotishka · Vaimanika (4 orders) |
| Source | Upinder Singh — A History of Ancient India; Byju’s Jainism notes; JainWorld.com |
UPSC Prelims — Previous Jainism Questions (Year-Wise)
UPSC Prelims 2011
Which of the following is/are the most important idea/s in Jainism? (1) The entire world is animated (2) Asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from karma
Answer: Both 1 and 2 — Jain belief in life in all matter + karma through asceticism
UPSC Prelims 2013
Architecture questions covering Gupta era temples including Nagara style — also tested Jainism’s contribution to art, literature and philosophy. Anekantavada concept tested.
Answer: Anekantavada — doctrine of multiple perspectives in Jainism
UPSC Prelims 2018
Statement-based question on Mahavira’s teachings — testing whether Mahavira was contemporary of Buddha, location of Nirvana, five vows (Pancha Mahavrata) and Mahavira’s family background.
Answer: Mahavira attained Nirvana at Pavapuri; contemporary of Buddha; 24th Tirthankara
UPSC Prelims 2020
Question on Jain texts — Therigatha vs Acharangasutra vs Sutrakritanga. Testing which texts belong to early Jain literary tradition vs Buddhist tradition.
Answer: Therigatha is Buddhist (NOT Jain); Acharangasutra and Sutrakritanga are Jain texts
UPSC Prelims 2021
Question on Nalanda temple architecture — “strictly inspired by Nagara style” — testing knowledge that Nalanda Buddhist architecture is neither purely Nagara nor Dravida but a unique form.
Answer: False — Nalanda temple architecture is a unique hybrid, not strictly Nagara
UPSC Prelims 2024
Buddhism questions on Sanghabhuti (Buddhist monk who travelled to China) and his commentary — testing detailed knowledge of Buddhist sects. Jainism not directly tested in 2024.
Answer: Sanghabhuti wrote commentary on Sarvastivada Vinaya
UPSC Prelims 2026 ← THIS QUESTION
“Among the four main forms of existence of life in Jainism, which is NOT included?” — First time UPSC directly tested the Chatur Gati concept by name, using Yaksha as distractor for Naraki.
Answer: (B) Yaksha — not a Gati; real four are Deva, Manushya, Tiryancha, Naraki
Pattern (1997–2026)
From 1997 to 2026, approximately 32 questions on Buddhism and Jainism combined have been asked — averaging 2 per year. No questions in 2015, 2016. Jainism tested: Tirthankaras, vows, texts, philosophy, art.
Focus areas: Mahavira’s life · Five vows · Anekantavada · Syadvada · Gati (new) · Jain texts · Jain art
Memory Trick — Never Forget This
🧠 Remember It This Way
Four Gatis = “D-M-T-N” → Deva · Manushya · Tiryancha · Naraki. Remember as “Divine Men Travel to Narak”.
Yaksha = Guardian, not Gati. Yakshas protect Tirthankaras — they are like security guards, not like citizens of a country. They are attendants, not one of the four cosmic life-states.
The missing option = Naraki. UPSC removed Naraki from the answer choices and replaced it with Yaksha. If you knew all four Gatis, Yaksha stands out immediately as the odd one out.
Manushya Gati is unique — it is the ONLY destiny from which Moksha is achievable. Even Devas (gods) have to take human birth first to attain liberation. This is why Jainism values human life so highly.
Tiryancha includes PLANTS — because Jainism believes even plants have souls (Jiva). This is why Jains don’t eat root vegetables (onion, garlic, potato) — uprooting harms the plant’s soul.
