________________
दर्शन दिग्दर्शन
FRUITS OF STAGES IN SPIRITUAL REALIZATION :
An aspirant or a muni achieves spiritual perfection by performing spiritual activities which is the goal of religious endeavour. He gains the title arhat or arhanta. Arhat may be of two kinds-Tirtharikara and non-Tirthankara (ordinary omniscient soul).
The former is capable of exhorting and propagating the religious principles in order to guide the worldly soul immersed in life of illusion, and his sermons are properly worded by Ganadharas whereas the latter is not the propounder of religious tenets, but silently enjoys simply the sublimity of spiritual experience.
According to Acāränge Sūtra an arhant is established in truth in all cardinal points. He is established in the atman (atmasamahita). He is free from anger, pride, death, greed, hatred, birth and death. In the state of arhat hood there are neither senses, nor there is any disaster, nor astonishment, nor astonishment, nor sleep, nor desire, nor hunger; there is only nirvana.26 Secondly, an arhant leads a life of supernoralism. Thirdly, an arhant instructs humanity for its upliftment and distributes spiritual pills to suffering humanity. Fourthly, with the emergence of atmanic experience and steadfastness in it, the conquest over the mind, the senses and emotions becomes natural to the arhant. Fifthly, according to the Ācārānga Sūtra the unwise sleep, the sages always awake. Sixthly, the arhant attains supersenuous knowledge, infinite power and unique resplendence.29 He is the omniscient
25. Ibid., P. 380
the Jains, VOI.IX, 179. 28. Acaranga Sutra, 1,3,1(P.28).
26. Niyamasara, Sacred books of 27. Svyambhustotra, 11,35 29. Pravacanasara, 1,15,19.
D
I
);990
Jain Education International 2010_03
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org