________________
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
329
In the beginning we shall explain the meaning of "Gunasthanaka" then we shall point out their number and then we shall proceed to discuss their nature.
MEANING OF 'GUNASTHANAKA'
Just as we call the state of sin we should understand the state or stage of attribute or the merit of the Soul. In Prakrit or Ardhamagadhi language it is called Gunathana and in Apabramsha it is called Gunathanum. Thus it is clear that Gunathana, Gunathanum, or Gunasthanaka mean the same.
Now let us understand what do we mean by 'Guna' and 'Sthana'. 'Guna' means the attributes of the soul. They are knowledge, intuition and right conduct. Their 'Sthana' means their 'state'; thus 'Gunasthanaka' represent various states-the stages of the development of the attributes of the Soul.
NUMBER OF 'GUNASTHANAKA'
Really speaking there are numberless states of spiritual progress and therefore the stages of 'Gunasthana' are also numberless. But for practical purpose they are classified into fourteen types. Till now you have learnt about seventh, twelfth and fourteenth Gunasthana. But you have not learnt about fifteenth, eighteenth and twentieth Gunasthana. There are seven days and so we cannot speak of the eighth day of the week. There are fifteen days of the first or second half of the month and so we do not speak of the sixteenth day. Thus there are only fourteen "Gunasthanas" and so we cannot speak of the fifteenth Gunasthana.
DESIGNATIONS OF GUNASTHANAS
Indeed it
Now let us consider the designations of Gunasthanas. is difficult to remember all the names or designations of all of them. Still out of grace, the learned authors of the scriptures have abridged them all in a stanza.
"Michchhe-Sasana Meese, Avirya-Dese Pamatta-Apamatte,
Niathi Aniathi Suhumuvasamakhinasajogiajogi guna,"
Michche' is the first stage of the soul's attributes-the stage of false conviction or belief. Second stage is 'Sasana'-'Saswadana
