Jainism’s core teachings unfold in the Bhagavatī Sūtra through a rich tapestry of dialogues, cosmological maps and philosophical maxims. A handful of its standout doctrines:

1. Anekāntavāda (Non-absolutism)

   • Life’s truths wear many faces. Every reality gets a fresh angle—no single viewpoint captures the full picture. Imagine describing an elephant by its trunk, tail or tusk: each description is valid but partial.

2. Syādvāda (Conditional Predication)

   • Words carry an “if-and-when” flavor. Instead of flat “this is,” statements become “maybe this,” allowing seven logical modes (the famous saptabhaṅgī) that keep discourse humble and open-ended.

3. The Seven Tattvas (Fundamental Principles)

   • Jīva (soul)
   • Ajīva (non-soul matter, time, space, motion, rest)
   • Āsrava (soul’s inflow of karmic particles)
   • Bandha (bondage of those particles)
   • Saṃvara (stoppage of fresh karma)
   • Nirjarā (shedding existing karma)
   • Mokṣa (liberation)
     Each truth stacks like building blocks on the path from bondage to freedom.

4. Karma Theory and Moral Vows

   • Every thought, word and deed attracts karmic dust. The Bhagavatī Sūtra dissects how violence (ahiṃsā) or truthfulness (satya) literally weighs down the soul. Five major vows—non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possession—act as karmic brakes, slowing influx and speeding release.

5. Jaina Cosmology

   • A universe shaped like a giant man, complete with heaven tiers, infernal zones and middle realms. Time turns in vast cycles (kālacakra), echoing modern “deep time” debates in geology and astrophysics.

6. Epistemology: Perception and Inference

   • Direct experience and logical inference stand on equal footing. No blind faith—knowledge must pass the scrutiny of both senses and reasoning.

By weaving these doctrines into parables and debates, the Bhagavatī Sūtra becomes less a dusty tome and more a living handbook for mindful living. Even today, its emphasis on respectful dialogue and multiple viewpoints feels surprisingly relevant in an age of online echo chambers and polarized headlines.