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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
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respectively). We have already explained that Karma is the product of matter (Pudgal).
Viewing from the point of fruits Karmas fall in two varieties : (1) Karmas bearing benefic fruits (2) Karmas bearing malefic fruits. Karmas bearing benefic fruits are called righteous merits and thoe bearing malefic fruits are called sins. Some have named these two divisions as Shukla and Krishna or 'Kushala' and 'Akushala', but they all convey the same. They do not mean any difference.
Can any one doubt that good will always bear good fruits and evil ones will always bear evil fruits. Tell me if you find a mango tree when a neem seed is sown and vice versa. An illiterate man toiling on a farm also will say, “Friend, as you sow, so you reap.” Wheat will grow as wheat and millet will grow as millet. None can violate this fundamental. Still it is a matter of great regret and surprise that some people cannot digest this simple fact. In fact they never deliberate over righteous acts or sins and live the life at their free will and choice. Do you know to what state they will attain after death? Affirm deeply in your hearts that such persons suffer very tragic ends. When they realise this truth, they are about to pass away. They clamour in great confusion worry. They piteously cry and repent for not accumulating righteousness; but it is all an afterthought. It becomes too late then !
A few days back our chief minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru said, “I have no deep knowledge of religion but I firmly hold that good actions breed good fruits and evil ones bear evil fruits.” These words are uttered by him after undergoing wide experience. So none should doubt about good or evil nature of fruits of actions.
Ashrava (Inflow of actions) means motivation of Karmas towards the soul. Just as from tunnel water flows towards a pond, by ‘Ashrava', 'Karmas' flow towards the soul.
Samvara (stoppage of actions) means obstructing the flow of Karmas towards the soul. Just as the flow of water if obstructed from underground tunnels does not flow towards the pond, Samvara when observed does not permit the new actions to flow towards the
soul.
Nirjara (consumptions of actions) means consumption of actions. When the actions which are attached to the soul having formed
