Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 001180
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 328
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 15 MB

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JAINA PHILOSOPHY : AN INTRODUCTION
We have described the nature of jīva and ajiva. We propose to give, now, a brief account of the nature of the remaining seven categories. Punya :
The essential characteristic of jīva is consciousness, purity and bliss but through the beginningless chain of karmas, bondage is there and the jīvas enjoy weal (punya) or woe (pāpa). Punya is produced by our auspicious bhāvas (activities). The auspicious bhāvas are said to consist of freedom from delusion, acquirement of right faith and knowledge, practice of reverence, observance of the five vows, etc. The manifestation of punya consists in sātā-vedaniya (feeling of pleasure), subha-āyus (auspicious life), śubhanäman (auspicious physique) and śubha-gotra (auspicious heredity).' Pāpa :
Pāpa is produced by inauspicious bhāvas. These bhāvas consist of delusion, wrong faith and knowledge, violence, falsity, stealing, indulgence, attachment, anger, pride, deceitfulness, greed etc. The manifestation of pāpa consists in asātā-vedanīya (feeling of pain), aśubha-āyus (inauspicious life), aśubha-nāman (inauspicious body) and aśubha-gotra (inauspicious heredity).2
Some writers like Umāsvāti and others have recognised only seven categories. They did not regard punya and pāpa as separate and distinct categories. These two categories were included in asrava and bandha. It has been observed by Umāsvāti that punya and pāpa are nothing but the auspicious and inauspicious influx of karmas.
1. Sadvedyasubhäyurnāmagotrāņi punyam---Tattvārtha-sūtra. VIII. 25. 2. Atonyat papam --Tattvārtha-sūtra, VII. 26. 3. Jīvājīvāsravabandhasunivurunirjarāmokṣāstuttvam -- Ibid., 1, 4. 4. Subhaḥ punyasyu; aśubhaḥ pāpusya --- Ibid., VI. 3-4.