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(12) Introduction to the Karma Granthas
This chapter of the Saptaatika is the sixth in the order of Karma Granthas. The name of its author is unknown. This text has seventy-two gathas, hence its name Saptaatika, based on the number of gathas. Information about its author, etc., is being given as appropriate. But before that, we present a brief introduction to the five Karma Granthas composed by Shrimad Devendrasuri.
Shrimad Devendrasuri has composed five Karma Granthas named Karmavipak, Karmastav, Bandhaswamitva, Shadshasti, and Shatak, respectively. These five names have been given by the commentator keeping in mind the subject matter of the text and the number of gathas in them. The names of the first, second, and third Karma Granthas are based on their subject matter, while the names of the fourth and fifth Karma Granthas, Shadshasti and Shatak, are based on the number of gathas contained in them. Thus, even though the Karma Granthas have different names, the general public knows them by the names of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth Karma Granthas.
The Karmavipak, known as the first Karma Grantha, describes the karma of Jnanavarana, Darshanavarana, etc., their distinctions, and their nature, i.e., their vipak or fruit, with illustrations.
The Karmastav, the second Karma Grantha, describes the nature of the fourteen Gunasthanas through the praise of Bhagwan Mahavira and the binding, arising, and existence of the karma-prakritis mentioned in the first Karma Grantha in these Gunasthanas.
The third Karma Grantha, Bandhaswamitva, describes the Bandhaswamitva of the karma-prakritis of the jivas based on the support of the Gatyadis and Marganas. The second Karma Grantha describes the binding based on the Gunasthanas.