________________
SELF BUDYIS THE
attraction of karma particles towards the soul. Umāsvāmi defines Saṁvara as obstruction of influx of karmas. 16
It is the harbinger of spiritual development that chooses the entry for new karmas. Continuing the earlier simile, if the entry of water in to a boat through a hole is to be stopped, the hole must be plugged. If the wind is blowing in through the window, the window must be closed. This is the common sense remedy. The some principle applies to stoppage of influx of new karmas. If the influx is to be stopped, the activities, which cause it, must be stopped. If the passions are the cause, they must be subdued. Many of karmas are due to wrong belief. When a person is in a state of delusion or in the grip of a passion, he will not know what is good for the soul. He becomes deeply involved in attachments of the world and affected with miseries of various kinds.
5.1. Dravya-sarvara and Bhāva-sarvara Saṁvara is of two types- Dravya-saṁvara and Bhāva-samvara. Dravya-saṁvara refers to the stoppage of the influx of the karmic particles. Psychic accompaniment of the influx of karmic particles has also to be stopped. The stoppage of the psychic accompaniments and psychic causes of the influx of karma is the bhāva-saṁvara.
5.2. The means of stoppage According to Umāsvāmi stoppage is affected by restraint (Gupti), carefulness (Samiti), virtue (Dharma) contemplation (Anupreksā), conquest by endurance (Parişahajaya), and conduct (Cāritra).17
5.2.1 Gupti (attitude of restraint/control) That, by which the soul is protected from the causes of transmigration, is control (gupti). According to Umāsvāmi - Restraining activity truly is control.18
There are three kinds of Gupti. 1. Manogupti (restraint on mental activity) 2. Vacanagupti (restraint on speech activity)
16 Asravanirodhah saṁvarah' Tattvārtha-sútra, IX/1 " Sa gupti samitidharmānupreksāparisahajayacăritain Tattvärtha-sútra, IX.2) 18 Samyagyoganigraho guptih, Ibid, IX/4)
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Page 47 of 385