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9.48]
Differences of the Nirgrantha
All karmic bonds are completely destroyed by liberation, and the partial destruction of karmas is called nirjarā. Considering the characteristics of both, it is clear that nirjarā is a preliminary component of liberation. In this scripture, the presentation of the essence of liberation is primary; therefore, it is also appropriate to consider its inherently connected nirjarā here. Thus, although the sequence of karmic nirjarā continues in all worldly souls, the focus here is specifically on the sequence of karmic nirjarā concerning distinguished souls, which are those aimed at liberation. True aim towards liberation begins with the attainment of right vision (samyak-dṛṣṭi) and is fully accomplished in the state of the Jina (omniscient). The stages of aim towards liberation are categorized into ten, from the attainment of gross vision to the omniscient state, in which the purity of the results in the higher divisions is distinct compared to the earlier ones. The greater the purity of results, the more specific the karmic nirjarā will be. Thus, in the first stage, the amount of karmic nirjarā is less, whereas in the later stages, due to the distinction of purity of results, the karmic nirjarā increases exponentially. Therefore, this increasing process results in the highest amount of nirjarā in the state of the omniscient. In this gradual process of karmic nirjarā, the least nirjarā is experienced in the state of right vision, while the most nirjarā occurs in the omniscient. The nature of these ten stages is as follows:
1. Right vision - The stage in which falsehood is eliminated and rightness manifests.
2. Householder - In which, due to the destruction of the obscuring passion, there is partial renunciation.
3. Renunciation - In which, through the annihilation of the obscuring passions, there is complete renunciation.
4. Infinite remover - In which the purity capable of destroying the infinite bondage of karma manifests.
5. Passion-removing - In which the purity capable of destroying the passion of vision manifests.
6. Quiescent - In which the remaining natures of delusion are being subdued.
7. Fully subdued delusion - In which quiescence is complete.
8. Destroyer - In which the destruction of the remaining natures of delusion continues.
9. Weak delusion - In which the destruction of delusion is complete.
10. Jina - In which omniscience is manifested.
Differences of the Nirgrantha
Pulaka, Bakusha, Kushila, Nirgrantha, and Snataka - these are the five types of Nirgrantha.