$JES 901 Jainism and Spiritual Awakening E9

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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07- CLASSIFICATION OF DRAVYA KARMA - PRAKRUTI BANDH
way, it creates the environmental feeling of pleasure (Shätä) or pain (Ashätä). This feeling is channeled through the physical level only.
This physical level feeling activates the Mohaniya Karma to produce happiness (Sukha) and agony (Dukha) at the mental level (Soul's Paryaya). The happiness and agony are experienced by the soul because the soul is at Mithyätva and Kashäya stage. Hence, its interpretation of the situation (knowledge and experience wise) is biased and illusive. This way, the Vedaniya karma indirectly (Nimitta) obscure the blissful nature of the soul via Mohaniya karma.
A Kevali possesses Vedaniya karma but not Mohaniya karma. He also possesses infinite knowledge (Keval-jnän). Therefore, he remains a silent observer and aware of the favorable or unfavorable (Shätä or Ashätä) circumstances or experiences that exist through the channel of a physical body, but he does not interpret it as joy or sorrow because he does not have Mohaniya Karma. He remains in a blissful state all the time under all circumstances.
In summary, Vedaniya karma being Aghäti karma can only produce favorable or unfavorable circumstances at the physical level, create environmental feelings of pain and pleasure through physical channels and indirectly make the soul feel joyous and sorrowful or in agony via Mohaniya karma. This way, this karma covers the undisturbed blissful nature of the soul.
However, without the existence of Mohaniya Karma one cannot feel happiness/joy or unhappiness/sorrow. Hence, Vedaniya karma has no real impact on the soul which is at Vitaräga state (12th Gunasthänak Spiritual Stage).
Näm karma (Body and Physique Determining Karma):
This karma obscures the non-corporeal or eternal existence of the soul, and produces the body with its limitations, qualities, and faculties. There are many sub-categories existing in Näm karma. In summary, Näm karma determines the quality and nature of a physical body a soul may possess such as:
Destiny (Gati) - heavenly beings, human, hellish beings and animals and vegetation
Birth species (Jäti) - Physique or characteristics of the body (Sharira)
JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
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