________________ SAMVAR PREVENTION OF KARMA 165 (Gupti consists of properly restraining the mental, vocal and physical faculties.) This sutra states that the right control of mental, vocal and physical faculties constitutes Gupti. It was pointed out in the last chapter that the types and plenitude of Karma depend upon exercising of those faculties. The objective of spiritual pursuit is to make out the true nature of soul so as to remain tuned to it. Unduly exercising of one's faculties operates as a major handicap in remaining so tuned. A spiritual aspirant should therefore try to restrain those faculties to the extent possible. Observance of Gupti is highly helpful in that respect. Depending upon the faculty to be restrained, it is termed of three types. Restraining the mind is known as Manogupti, restraining the speech is Vachangupti and restraining the physical activities is Kaygupti. ईर्याभाषैषणादाननिक्षेपोत्सर्गाः समितयः // 9-5 // 9.5: Iryabhashaishanadannikshepotsargah Samitayah (Samiti consists of maintaining vigilance while making movement, while speaking, while accepting the required articles, while moving any object and while disposing the wastes.) Gupti necessitates restraining of all possible activities. But so long as one is alive, he needs to undertake some activities. As such, when it is not feasible to restrain those faculties, one needs to exercise them with vigilance so as to avoid all possible violence. That is called Samiti, which is of five types. Observance of vigilance while making movement is called Irya Samiti; that while speaking is called Bhasha Samiti; that while Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
