Atmasiddhi

SR No.: 007524
Original Sutra Author: Shrimad Rajchandra
Author: Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi
Total Pages: 147
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Spiritual, & Rajchandra
File Size: 1 MB

Page 47

step. That advance coves a long journey. On
ion. Jainism
Chapter 4 Statement of Six Fundamentals
Treading on the path of liberation involves a long journey. One has to advance on that path step by step. That advance can be compared to climbing on a ladder of elevation. Jainism conceives of such a ladder with 14 rungs. They are called Gunasthänaks, meaning the stages of elevation. The initial three stages consist of wrong or semi-wrong perception. During those stages an aspirant is below the level of a truth seeker. Right perception emerges in the 4" stage. The real spiritual advancement thus starts from that stage. Every activity, including the acute austerities, is therefore considered futile in absence of right perception. Since the aspirant is still not in a position to observe restraints at the 4th stage, it is termed as the stage of right perception without restraints.
While explaining the characteristics of truth seekers given in the last chapter, it was mentioned that the description therein presents the step by step advancement till the emergence of right thinking. By virtue of such thinking one is induced to think of six Fundamental aspects relating to soul. Unwavering faith in those six Fundamentals constitutes the right perception as mentioned in the Letter of Six Fundamentals (Appendix-II) addressed to Laghuräjswämi.
Some people would contend that those Fundamentals are not found in Jain tradition; they have never even heard of them. As such, they fail to make out from where they have been brought forth. It would therefore be pertinent to point out that they are from the ancient scriptures. Of the original 12 scriptures, the last one, Drashtiväd, has been lost since more than 2000 years. But from its description in Samaväyäng and other texts, it is learnt that it contained 14 Poorvas. The 7th Poorva was termed as Atmapraväd. These six Fundamentals deal with the subject matter of that Poorva. They were described by Acharya Siddhasen Diwäkar in Sanmati Prakaran about 1800 years ago. Comparatively recently they were included in Sadsathbolani Sajzäy by the learned Upadhyay Shri Yashovijayji.
The existence of soul, its permanence, its indulgence in Karma, bearing of consequences, state of liberation and the method of attaining the same constitute the six Fundamentals. They are closely related to Nav Tattva comprising Jiv, Ajiv, Punya, Päp, Asrav, Bandh, Samvar, Nirjarä, and Moksha. Jiv (soul) denotes a living being. Its animation subsists by virtue of its consciousness. Everything else that does not have consciousness is inanimate, which means Ajiv. As Kartä (doer, actuator) of its karma, a soul acquires Punya (wholesome Karma) or Päp (unwholesome Karma). The incoming of Karma is Asrav. Bearing the consequences of Karma implies that there is bondage (Bandh) of Karma. The liberation is Moksha and the means thereof are Samvar (Prevention of Karma) and Nirjarä (Eradication of Karma). No one should therefore remain under the apprehension that Shrimad might have brought these six Fundamentals from nowhere. As a matter of fact, by explaining the same simply and logically, he has brought to light the path of liberation, which was lying unexplored since long.
These six Fundamentals form the basis of Jainism. In this respect Shrimad has written (Vachanamrut # 493, vide appendix II): "The enlightened persons have given the instructions of these six Fundamentals in order to remove the sense of ego and attachment