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9.49] Characteristics of the Nirgrantha: Eight Indicators
233. The most abominable of Shrutapulaka is the 'object of conduct'; Bakush, Kushil, and Nirgrantha are the eight types of discourse (five committees and three secrets) that serve as evidence. The graduate (Snaatka) is beyond Shrut and is all-knowing.
3. Pratisvena (Viradhana) Pulaka violates any of the six vows, including the five great vows and the suspension of nighttime meals, due to the pressure or coercion of another. According to some teachers, Pulaka is the violator of the fourth vow. Bakush comes in two types—instrumental Bakush and bodily Bakush. Those attached to the instrument seek and collect various valuable instruments endowed with numerous qualities and continually engage with them. Those attached to the body maintain the body for its beauty. While Pratisvenakushil does not violate the basic qualities, it does violate some of the superior qualities. Violation by Kashaykushil, Nirgrantha, and Snaatka does not occur at all.
4. Tirtha (Governance)—All five types of Nirgrantha are governed by the Tirthankaras. Some teachers believe that Pulaka, Bakush, and Pratisvenakushil are constantly present in Tirthas, while the remaining Kashaykushil and others also exist in Tirtha as well as beyond Tirtha.
5. Linga—Linga (Sign) comes in two types: dravya (substance) and bhava (feeling). The virtues of character are bhavalinga, while the specific outward forms, such as dress, are dravyalinga. All five types of Nirgrantha invariably possess bhavalinga, but dravyalinga may or may not be present in all.
6. Leshya—The final three leshyas in Pulaka are Tejas (Radiant), Padma (Lotus), and Shukla (White). All six leshyas are found in Bakush and Pratisvenakushil. If a Kashaykushil possesses purity of avoidance in character, it has the three leshyas of Tejas etc.; if it has the character of subtle sensations, then it possesses only the Shukla leshya. Nirgrantha and graduate (Snaatka) only exhibit Shukla leshya. An unworthy graduate is devoid of leshya.
7. Upapatha (Place of Origin)—The most abominable Upapatha of Pulaka and the other four Nirgrantha is among the gods who are situated in the 'Soudharma Kalpa' akin to the Palyopama Earth. The superior Upapatha of Pulaka exists in the 'Sahasrar Kalpa' in a state akin to twenty oceans. The superior Upapatha of Bakush and Pratisvenakushil occurs in the 'Arana' and 'Achyut' Kalpa in a state of twenty-two oceans.
1. This is the third section of the ninth preceding chapter. 2. The Digambara texts mention four leshyas. 3. The Digambara texts refer to a state of two oceans.