________________
254
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
existing in Sarvartha Siddha, Heaven and the soul existing in the zth hell. The other bondage of duration of longest period with seven species is enjoyed by the five sensed soul possessed of wrong belief and limited range of consciousness.
The shortest period of existence lesser than a Muhurta is enjoyed by an animal and a human being and the shortest period of the rest of the species is enjoyed by the soul in the roth stage of ‘merits’, these stages of the merits of the soul ill be considered later but remember these terms for the present.
DEGREES OF REFLECTIONS-LESHYA
Degrees of reflections are called Leshyas and they are responsible for the bondage according to intensity (Rasa Bandha). Intense or mild result is accrued according to intensity or mildness of reflections with which the Karmas are contracted. The authors of the scriptures have imparted to us an illustration of 'A Rose apple tree and six men'.
A Rose Apple Tree and Six men
Six travellers arrived under a rose apple tree. One of them said, "If we knock down this tree, we can enjoy its best fruits.” The second one said, "It is no use knocking down the whole tree, as cutting of one branch can serve our purpose.” Third man said, "Brothers, why cut off one branch? We can pluck a small-branch.” The fourth traveller said, “But the bunch of fruits only can serve our purpose." The fifth man said “I consider not even that much proper. Why not take Rose apples only as we want them only." But the sixth man said. "But I would like to differ with you all. If we desire to satisfy our hunger only, then why not take Rose apples already lying on the ground. Why pluck the other ones?"
Here the first man's reflections are extremely abominable. So they are supposed to have black range or degree-second man's reflections are very abominable. So they are supposed to have green degree or grade. Third man's reflections are abominable, so they are supposed to have grey degree. Thus, black, green and grey grades are regarded as evil grades. Each preceding is more evil or more impure than the succeeding one.
