Basic Principles Of Jainism

Author(s): Narayan Lal Kachhara
Publisher: Narayan Lal Kachhara

Page 28

great souls and imagining defects where there are none is avarnavada and is cause of influx of faith deluding karma.
Charitra Mohaniya (or conduct deluding) Karma is of 25 kinds. They fall in two groups. 1) The Kashayas, (Passions). The passion or the kashayas are four in the main: anger, pride, deceit and greed. Each of these has four sub-divisions (i) anantanubandhin or that karma which may last with the soul for up to infinite births, (ii) apratyakhyanavarana or the non-preventable emotion of any of the passions, (iii) pratyakhyanavarana or preventable or controllable passions, (iv) samjvalana or flaring up of passion but controllable by self-discipline. In the fruition mode the duration of experience of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th kinds of karmas is entire life span, one year, four months, and fifteen days respectively. The degrees of strength of kashayas are illustrated by examples. For instance the four species of anger are to be likened on to a line drawn in stone, in earth, in dust and in water. The first can be removed with great effort, each following one always more easily.
2) There are nine Nokashayas or quasi-passions : hasya or laughter, rati or indulgence, gratification, arati or dissatisfaction, dislike, soka or sorrow, bhaya or fear, jugupsa or aversion, disgust, striveda or hankering after or longing for women, purushveda or hankering after men, and napumsakaveda or longing for the neuter sex.
When one is actuated by passions or quasi-passions, there takes place influx of conduct deluding Karmas. There are people who ridicule right faith in others and deride those in distress or misery. Sometimes laughter is a matter of aimless sport. Association with men or women of disgust ignoble character leads both to misery and sorrow. Feeling of liking for other or behaving with hatred, or feeling intense attachment towards persons of opposite sexes are all causes that soil the soul and attract fresh karmas.
Aghatiya karmas
These are of four kinds Ayu, Nama, Gotra and Vedaniya.
Ayu Karma
The life-karmas determine the quantum of life in the states of existence as infernal beings, plants, animals, human beings and heavenly beings. It is responsible for determination of the duration of life of each individual being in its state of existence. When this Karma is exhausted, the being must die. It is therefore this Karma which is responsible for the birth and death of an individual being.
Umasvami has explained the causes of influx of karmas which lead to life in different states of existence. Excessive infliction of pain and attachment cause influx of karma which leads to life in infernal regions. The Sutra uses the two words arambha and parigraha. While the former word means infliction of pain and suffering on living beings, the latter refers to