________________ 176 TATTVARTHA SUTRA acquisition of new Karma. For that purpose, the aspirant needs to avoid violence to the utmost possible extent. His objective would be to stay away from the bodily concerns. That is possible only if he ignores what happens to the body. Moreover, staying tuned to soul can reduce the impact of hardships and discomforts. In fact, the impact thereof can be neutralized, if one stays completely tuned that way. Moreover, a spiritual aspirant should remain aware that hardships arise as the consequence of Karma and need to be borne with patience. क्षुत्पिपासाशीतोष्णदंशमशकनाग्न्यारतिस्त्रीचर्यानिषद्याशय्याऽऽक्रोशवधयाचनाऽलाभरोगतृणस्पर्शमलसत्कारपुरस्कारप्रज्ञाऽज्ञानादर्शनानि // 9-9 // 9.9: Kshutpipasasheetoshnadanshmashaknagnyaratistricharyanishadyashaiyya"kroshvadhyachana'labhrogtrnsparshamalsatkarpuraskarprajna'jnanadarshanani (Hunger, thirst, cold, heat, insect-bite, unclad state, despise, seduction, moving about, steady posture, rough bed, reproach, injury, going for alms, facing disadvantage, disease, thorny grass, dirtiness, honor or award, intelligence, nescience and failure to comprehend are the main hardships.) There could be innumerable types of Parishah (hardships), which may have to be faced. This sutra enumerates twenty-two of them, which need to be faced particularly in the monastic life. That is deemed practicable at the sixth stage of spiritual elevation. In that stage one is expected to bear the hardships as a part of spiritual pursuit. Hardships do arise in life. The question is, 'Why need they be borne instead of removing the same?' It should be remembered that we are at present considering the factors that Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
