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Chapter 19 - Nirjarä and Moksha (Eradication and Liberation)
Nirjarä (Eradication of Karma) Every worldly soul happens to be confined (not free). The imprisonment is due to the bondage of Karma (Bandha). To be free, Jiva has to eradicate the karma by which he is bound. The process of eradicating Karma is called Nirjarä. The word Nirjarä means to fall off. It denotes dripping off (shedding), destruction, or removal of Karma from the soul. Inflow of Karma is Asrava, the stoppage of the inflow is Samvar and the eradication of Karma is Nirjarä. Jiva can shed the Karma and purify his soul with the help of austerities. Sakäm Nirjarä and Akäm Nirjarä Karma can be shed in two ways: Sakäm Nirjarä: By force of austerity undertaken for a high spiritual objective, the bound karmic matter gets dissociated from the soul even before it has yielded its fruit. When Karma are brought to maturity ahead off their time by special effort with a view to eradicate them prematurely, it is called Sakäm Nirjarä. Akäm Nirjarä The dissociation of the bound karmic matter comes about through experiencing its fruit at the destined time. Eradication of Karma without self-effort is called Akäm Nirjarä. When Karma mature and drip off or shed off in due course, it is called Akäm Nirjarä. To be effective, Samvar like equanimity should accompany Nirjarä. If not, it will lead to bondage of new virtuous (Punya) or non-virtuous (Päp) karma. By resorting to Tapa or austerities, one can shed his Karma and earn Punya. However, the purpose should be Nirjarä and not just to earn Punya. There are twelve types of austerities (Tapa) of which six are external and six are internal. The external Tapa involves enduring hardships. Such Tapa is observed for cultivating spiritual capabilities. The following are the six types of external Tapa: External Tapa (External Austerities) Anashan (Fasting): Anashan is derived from Ashan, which means to eat. The prefix 'an' gives a negative connotation. Anashan therefore means not to eat. It conveys renouncing of food and water for a day or days or for one's remaining lifetime. This is physical Anashan. One can combine the physical Anashan with Bhäva Anashan by exercising total control of inner desires for a short or a long time. Anashan for a day or days is called fasting, and Anashan for the rest of one's life is called Santhäro. When one's death is imminent in the next few days or hours and that there is no treatment that can change that, one undertakes several vows including fasting to have his remaining time spent spiritually. This process is called Santhäro (Sanlekhanä). Santhäro is the art of dying. After undertaking Santhäro, one fasts peacefully, forgives everyone, asks for forgiveness for all his mistakes that he might have committed knowingly or unknowingly, and gets absorbed in the serene recitation of Pancha Paramesthi. His fasting can go on for several days until his soul leaves the body peacefully. Unodari (Partial Fasting): Unodari is made of two words - Una and Udar. Una means somewhat less and Udar means stomach. To eat less than the normal diet is called Unodari. The deeper meaning of Unodari is to practice more self-restraints (Sanyam) by reducing non-virtuous activities. One can have many negative emotions that can lead him to the wrong path. Therefore, it is important that one not only reduces his normal diet but also reduces his passions. By reducing the intake of food and controlling passions, one not only gains physically but also benefits mentally, emotionally and
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JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
