Basic Jain Culture Non Possession

Author(s): Padamchand Shastri, N L Jain
Publisher: Veer Seva Mandir Trust

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meaning of the word 'Nirodha' as fixation of mind. Such scholars should consider this meaning with reference to its meaning in 'Dhavala' as stated earlier. Further, it should also be thought whether the activity of fixation of mind will lead to karmic influx or stoppage and shedding. 'Dhavala' has explained this term to state that 'Nirodha' means absence or destruction of activities. Formally, the activity means mental activity whose destruction is meditation.
After all, what is meant by checking or destruction of activity? It means absence or destruction of the mental, vocal and bodily activities. Formally, the mental activity is called 'yoga'. Getting engaged on single entity is not meditation. Further, there is no karmic stoppage or shedding through this activity. Even if there is stoppage and shedding, it is merely due to withdrawal from other propensities. It will also be proportional to withdrawal. However, it is not due to meditation. To call it a meditation is just a formality.
It is evident from the above discussion that meditation is that which may lead to karmic shedding and stoppage. Nemichandracharya in his 'Dravya Sangraha' verse (Compendium on Realities) has also mentioned only two meditations as the cause of salvation and concentration of mind on incantations containing 35, 16, 19,5,4,2 and one letters and on objects, holy chants and form has been called as pragmatic meditation as they are causes of salvation through succession (and not direct). However, the meditation on the formless is ideal meditation. Ifwe think over it, this statement agrees with the Dhavala author. An author has stated that fixation of mind on object for an Antarmuhurta is the meditation of the non-omniscients and meditation in the form of absence of activities is the meditation of the omniscients.
This is also clear from the above discussion that the sorrowful and cruel meditations are neither pragmatic nor the ideal ones for the right faithed ones. Instead, it would be better to say that they are most impractical and lead the Jiva in pitiable condition. They represent false volitions.