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## The Nature of Dharma-Svakhyata-Bhavana and the 10 Divisions of Samyak Dharma
**From Yoga Shastra, Fourth Light, Verses 92-93**
The group of karmas are shattered. If the work of destroying karmas from both sides by both Samvara and Nirjara continues, then the soul, attaining the state of perfection, obtains liberation from the stability (Dhruvata) of these two. By performing both types of austerities, the soul with pure intellect attains liberation, which is the destruction of all karmas, one day. Thus, one should contemplate the Nirjara Bhavana, which strengthens the austerity, destroys all karmas, is like a bridge to cross the ocean of the world, and is the cause of the destruction of attachment. ||91||
Now, regarding Dharma-Svakhyata-Bhavana, it is said: 418. This Dharma is truly Svakhyata, declared by the supreme Jinas. The being who takes refuge in it does not drown in the ocean of existence. ||92||
**Meaning:** The supreme Jinas have well-explained this Dharma. The being who takes refuge in it does not drown in the ocean of existence. ||12||
**Meaning:** Here, the special meaning of Dharma is Su+A+Khyata, Svakhyata, which means: Dharma that is superior to the Kutirthika Dharma, prohibits wrong conduct, is defined by boundaries, and is declared by the Vitaraga-Sarvagnas. ||12||
Now, the ten divisions of this Samyak Dharma are stated: 419. Samyama, Sunruta, Saucha, Brahma, Akinchanata, Tapa, Shanti, Divam, Mrjruta, and Mukti are the ten divisions of it. ||93||
**Meaning:** It is of ten types: 1. Samyama, 2. Satya, 3. Saucha, 4. Brahmacharya, 5. Akinchanata, 6. Tapa, 7. Kshama, 8. Mrduta, 9. Saralata, and 10. Nirlobhata. ||13|| [This is also called Shraman Dharma].
**Explanation:**
1. **Samyama:** Means compassion for living beings. It is of 17 types. Samyama on earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, and plant-bodied beings; Samyama in the form of abandoning the initiation, continuation, and commencement of actions done, caused, and approved by the mind, speech, and body of beings with two, three, four, and five senses - this is of nine types. Samyama in the form of non-living things like books, etc., is the tenth division. Keeping books, etc., with careful copying and cleaning, due to the influence of the Dosha of the unfavorable time, due to the lack of intellectual strength, and for the benefit of the disciples, is Ajiva Samyama. Similarly, there is Preksha Samyama, which is to see with the eyes a piece of land free from seeds, animals, and green plants, and to see while sleeping, sitting, etc. Not inspiring a householder who is engaged in harmful activities; ignoring harmful actions is Upeksha Samyama. Seeing with the eyes, cleaning the ground with dust removal, etc., for sleeping and sitting, and while walking from one place to another, if there is dust from the earth on the feet, whether consciously, unconsciously, or mixed, then cleaning it is Pramardhana Samyama. If food and water are defective, unsuitable, or clothes, utensils, etc., are in contact with living beings, then carefully placing such food, water, clothes, etc., in a defect-free, inanimate place is Paristhapana Samyama. To be free from the mind that is filled with harm, pride, jealousy, etc., and to engage it in Dharma-Dhyana, etc., is Mana Samyama. To refrain from harsh, cruel, bitter, etc., cautious words, and to engage in speech with good language is Vachana Samyama. To abandon cautious activities like running, fleeing, jumping, aimless wandering, etc., and to engage in good actions is Kaya Samyama. In this way, Samyama in the form of refraining from violence is of 17 types: Earth, water, fire, air, plants, beings with two, three, four, and five senses, non-living things, Preksha, Upeksha, Pramardhana, Pratilekhana, Paristhapana, mind, speech, and body Samyama. (Aavashyak Sutra)
2. **Sunruta:** Means speaking truthful and pleasant words. Avoiding harshness, gossip, rudeness, fickleness, or speaking with a suppressed tongue, hesitantly, stammering, quickly, doubtfully, vulgarly, with attachment and aversion, with deceit and sin, with slander, etc., and speaking with sweetness, generosity, clarity, revealing excellent things, according to the words of Shri Arihant Prabhu, meaningful, prevalent in social conduct, understanding the meaning, according to the time and place, with restraint, with limited words, beneficial, full of virtues, while speaking and asking questions, answering when asked, speaking without falsehood is Sunruta (Satya).
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