$JES 901 Jainism and Spiritual Awakening E9

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

Page 69

The order of Gunasthänas is logical and not chronological. They are arranged according to the principle of decreasing sinfulness and the increasing purity of the soul.
Gunasthänas denote purely spiritual exercise - the fourteen levels relate to the soul it embodies. The progression or regression is of the soul and is on a spiritual scale and according to spiritual yardsticks. It cannot be seen, observed or measured in the physical world.
Though the stages of spiritual development are of the soul, they directly result from karma (matter) contaminating the soul. The worse and more intense association of Karma with the soul, the lower the stage of spiritual development of the soul. Conversely the lesser and lighter the Karma load is on the soul, the higher and better stage it can attain.
The Gunasthäna of a soul may vary from moment to moment depending on its Karma Uday (operation of karma), or Kshayopasham (destruction and suppression of karma), Räga and Dvesha (attachment and aversion), or Kashäya and Yoga (passion and activity).
The Gunasthäna is a purely spiritual barometer of an individual. It is not possible for other beings to assess one's spiritual stage. During the spiritual development stage, Soul removes it's
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11 FOURTEEN GUNASTHÄNAK
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Ignorance (Mithyätva) by eliminating or suppressing Darshan Mohaniya (Faith Deluding) karma and attains 4th stage known as Samyaktva or Avirata samyagdrashti.
Vowlessness (Avirati) by renouncing the property, wealth, and the relationship with friends and families and attains 6th stage Pramatta-samyata.
Passions (Kashäya) by eliminating Chäritra Mohaniya karma and acquiring Vitaräga state or perfect conduct on 12th stage known as Kshina-Moha
Remaining three Ghäti karma and attains Keval-jnän on 13th stage.
Yoga (activities of body, mind and speech) on 14th stage and at the end it attains liberation.
JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING