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that has prominence over other bodies As the body of a Tirthankar (omniscient religious ford-maker) or a Ganadhar (principle disciple of a Tirthankar) is of audarik (gross physical) kınd it is accepted as having prominence over others. In other words, with this body a being or soul is able to practice maximum ascetic or spiritual discipline and attain liberation It is therefore considered to be the most prominent (3) Large or corpulent body The maximum space occupied by an audarik sharira (gross physical body) is slightly more than one thousand yojans, whereas vaikriya sharira (transmutable body) is not so large The normal maximum space occupied by a vaikriya sharira (transmutable body) is five hundred dhanushas, and that too is only for the infernal beings of the seventh hell. However, the Uttar-varkriya sharira (secondary transmuted body) can be a hundred thousand yojan size, but it does not last throughout the life-span (Vritti by Haribhadra, p 87)
(2) Vaikriya sharira (transmutable body)-The body capable of performing a variety of supranormal activities and acquiring special forms is called varkriya sharira (transmutable body). This is of two
types labdhipratyayık and bhavapratyayık That which is acquired He through some specific austerity or other endeavour is ca
labdhipratyayık as in case of animals and human beings That which is acquired naturally by birth is called bhavapratyayık as in case of infernal and divine beings Air-bodied beings are also said to have this vaikriya sharira (transmutable body)
(3) Aharak sharira (telemigratory body)- The Chaturdashpurvadhar sages (endowed with the knowledge of fourteen subtle canons) create this through their yogic powers for some specific purpose like removing doubts with the help of an omniscient Sages endowed with this special power create an aharak sharira (telemigratory body) in
order to reach an omniscient for removing their doubts This is done 19 particularly when there is no omniscient in their proximity or area but
one exists in another area where it is impossible to reach by audarik sharira (gross physical body). Once the mission is accomplished this aharak sharira (telemigratory body) is withdrawn
(4) Taijas sharira (fiery body)—This body is endowed with properties of fire or heat It helps in digestion and manifests as aura, glow and radiance Every worldly being is endowed with this body It is also the source of the magical fire-power (employed for burning other beings and things)
शरीर-प्रकरण
(227)
The Discussion on Body
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