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8.1] The explanation of the bond causes is that the kashayas (passions) and yoga (spiritual practices) are the wealth of these two bond causes, and the mention of the four bond causes—mithyatva (wrong perception), avirati (lack of restraint), kashaya, and yoga—serves to illustrate the simplicity of the karmic processes that bind us, as represented by the fluctuations of spiritual growth. The more bond causes there are in a particular gunasthan (state of spiritual development), the greater the binding of karmic processes in that gunasthan, and conversely, where there are fewer bond causes, the lesser the binding of karmic processes. Thus, the tradition of stating the four causes of mithyatva and others is meant to clarify the reasons for the varying levels of karmic bondage in different gunasthans, while the tradition of stating kashaya and yoga serves to distinguish the causes of potentially four aspects within a single karma. The essence of the tradition of the five bond causes is not different from that of the four bond causes in any way; if there is any difference, it is only to provide the inquisitive students with a detailed understanding of the bond causes.
The explanation of the bond causes regarding mithyatva—mithyatva means wrong perception, which is contrary to samyagdarshan (right perception). Samyagdarshan is the true understanding of things, while the opposite perception results in two kinds of fruits: 1. The absence of correct conviction about the object, and 2. The incorrect conviction about the object. The difference between the first and the second is that the first can exist in a completely deluded state, while the second only occurs in a reflective state. Due to attachment, when the power of thought develops, if only one perspective is held, then due to partiality in the ultimate truth, that perspective is termed mithyatva, which is said to be acquired because it is suggestive in nature. When the reflective state is not awakened, it results in mere ignorance due to the primordial coverings. At that time, there is no faith in the truth, nor in the ultimate. In this state, it can be said that the merely ignorant condition constitutes a lack of faith in the truth. It is called unacquired because it is either natural or independent of teachings. All intense beliefs or views related to a path in an advanced species like humans can be considered acquired mithyatva. The second type of unacquired mithyatva is only possible in species like insects or other creatures with limited consciousness.
Avirati, or lack of restraint, means not being free from faults. Pramada refers to self-forgetfulness; it signifies negligence in skilled actions and lack of awareness regarding duties and non-duties.