Concept of Divinity in Jainism

SR No.: 001637
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P Ajay Kothari
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 248
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Devotion
File Size: 15 MB

Page 126

or yoga by intention). ii) Shastra yoga (yoga by scriptures), and iii) Sumarthya yoga (yoga by self-exertion).
Samarthya yoga type of yoga is very much conducive to divinity, emancipation.222 It is characterised by renunciation of all kshayopashamika dharmas and removal of all activities of mind, speech and body. It is highest yoga which leads to libera
tion.223
Drishti means revelation or faith. It is of two types viz., Ogha drishti (absence of true faith) and yoga drishti (true faith). In Ogha drishti, there is a tendency towards the mundane existence (samsara) while yoga drishti connotes the spiritual development towards the right intuition or vision and divinity.
The eight yoga drishti (yoga view point) are elaboration of the three yoga (Ichha yoga, Shastra yoga, and Samarthya yoga).224 The eight yoga view points are mitra, tara, hala, dipra, sthira, kanta prabha and para. These resemble the type of light produced by the particles of straw fire, cow-dung fire, wood fire, the light of lamp, the light of a jewel, the light of star, the light of the sun and the moon.?25 In the first four visions, there is no perfect perception of atma and knowledge (avedyasamvedyapada).226 While in the last four yoga drishtis, there is knowledge of truth (vedyasamvedyapada) which is attained with the help of noble persons and with the study of scriptures.227
i) Mitra— In this, a self attains very little228 right belief and pays respect to genuine yogis like Tirthankara.
ii) Tara ---- In this stage, there is little more229 understanding of right belief than mitra. A self reflects worldly existence in the form of misery and one tries earnestly to get rid of it.
iii) Bala - There is a firm right understanding230 whereby evil tendencies vanish.
iv) Dipra - In this stage, the yogi controls the231 breath and has ethical and spiritual tendencies towards right faith but cannot possess subtle type of understanding.
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THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM
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