Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

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Śrutajñānāvaraṇa or other related sub-categories its potency also veils Śrutajñāna, as is the nature of Śrutajñānāvaraṇa. However, there are some such sub-categories that do not undergo such mutual transition. An example is Darśanamohaniya and Caritramohaniya. Darśanamohaniya does not transform into Cāritramohanīya and vice versa. It is true for sub-categories of āyu karma as well.
In the same way the duration and potency of some karmic categories bonded with soul may be of a higher degree in the beginning. But under the influence of attitudes this degree gets reduced and the duration and potency of some other karmic categories bonded with soul may be of a lower degree in the beginning but under the influence of attitudes this degree gets increased. As a consequence the maximum duration is reduced to minimum and vice versa. In the same way higher potency is reduced to lower potency and vice versa.
What happened to King Śreņika is a good example of this. Once, enraged with a feeling of vengeance and with infuriated attitude he threw a dead snake on the neck of a detached ascetic sitting in meditation. At that moment his attitude was under the influence of intense passions. Coincidentally he acquired the bondage of āyu karma just at that instant and it was a life span of the seventh hell. When the king returned to his palace and related his misdeed to the queen she was deeply hurt. She uttered, "Oh what a grave sin you have committed! Such terrible affliction on a detached ascetic!" She could not remain there even for a moment and took her husband to the place where ascetic Yasobhadra, sitting in meditation, was enjoying spiritual bliss. The royal couple saw that the ascetic is lost in his meditation and the dead snake was still lying on his neck. Swarms of ants are sticking to the snake and moving around on the body of the ascetic. They were also biting the ascetic. Queen Celanã removed the snake with a stick and carefully removed the ants from the body of the ascetic with the end of her saḍi. The king observed all this with unblinking eyes. He was so impressed with the patience, detachment, and austerities of the ascetic that he was filled with pain of remorse for his misdeed. After some time the ascetic.concluded his meditation and opened his eyes. The queen bowed at his feet. The king also paid his homage with mixed feelings of shame and remorse. The ascetic blessed them with equanimity "May your indulgence in religion enhance!" This equanimous view for a devotee and a foe shook the king to his core.
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