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## The Nature of Dharma-Dhyana
**Yoga Shastra, Dasham Prakash, Slokas 12-13**
This is the nature of Dharma-Dhyana:
**11.** To contemplate the four states of existence (Deva, Manushya, Tiryanch, Naraka) and their inherent suffering, and to be vigilant against them. This is called Dharma-Dhyana, which is related to the concept of "Apay-Vishaya" (the dangers of the world).
**12.** Contemplating the arising of the fruits of karma, which are constantly emerging, is called "Vipaka-Vishaya" Dharma-Dhyana.
**13.** The same contemplation reveals that the supreme wealth of the Arihant Bhagwan and the extreme misfortunes of the beings in Naraka are both solely due to the power of punya (merit) and papa (demerit) karma. In other words, the strength of punya and papa is the cause of happiness and suffering.
**Explanation:**
The essence of these slokas is this: "Vipaka" refers to the fruits of good and bad karma. These fruits are experienced in various ways, depending on the material and spatial conditions. For example, enjoying sensual pleasures like embracing a woman, tasting delicious food, wearing garlands of flowers, and applying sandalwood are the fruits of good punya karma. On the other hand, experiencing snakes, weapons, fire, and poison are the fruits of bad papa karma. This is the material aspect.
Obtaining heavenly abodes like Saudharma, gardens, forests, palaces, and mansions are the fruits of good punya karma, while experiencing cremation grounds, jungles, emptiness, battlefields, etc., are the fruits of bad papa karma. Experiencing pleasant seasons like spring and autumn, without extreme cold or heat, is the fruit of good punya karma, while experiencing extreme heat, extreme cold, summer, and winter are the fruits of bad papa karma.
A pure mind, contentment, simplicity, and humble behavior are the fruits of good punya karma, while anger, pride, deceit, greed, and violent thoughts are the fruits of bad papa karma. Being born as a high-ranking deva, in a land of sensual pleasures, or as a human being are the fruits of good punya karma, while being born as a Mlechchha (barbarian) like a Bhil, or as a Tiryanch (animal), or in Naraka (hell) are the fruits of bad papa karma.
In this way, karma associated with material, spatial, temporal, mental, and existential conditions undergoes destruction, suppression, or reduction. Thus, karma bound to the material and other aspects of the soul naturally bears its fruits. There are eight types of karma: Jnanavaraniya, Darshanavaraniya, Vedaniya, Mohaniya, Aayushya, Nama, Gotra, and Antaray.
Just as a person with eyes cannot see if a bandage is placed over them, similarly, the soul's all-knowing knowledge is covered by the Jnanavaraniya karma, which acts like a bandage. The five types of knowledge - Mati, Shruta, Avadhi, Manahparyaya, and Kevalgyan - are obstructed by this karma. Darshanavaraniya karma obstructs the five types of sleep and the four types of vision. Just as a gatekeeper prevents someone from seeing their master, similarly, Darshanavaraniya karma prevents the soul from seeing itself. Vedaniya karma is like a honey-coated sword, causing the experience of pleasure and pain. The taste of honey is sweet, but licking it can cut the tongue with the blade, causing pain. Mohaniya karma is like intoxication, which makes the soul confused about right and wrong. It is of two types: Darshanamohiya and Charitramohiya, which suppress right vision and right conduct. Aayushya karma is like a prison, with four types of lifespans: Deva, Manushya, Tiryanch, and Naraka. It is like a chain that keeps each soul in its place. The soul cannot escape from these realms until its lifespan is complete.