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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
duration of the Karma is exhausted, the being must die. It is therefore this Karma which is responsible for the birth and death of an individual being.
Umāsvāmi 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. 14 The Sūtra uses the two words ārambha and parigraha. While the former word means infliction of pain and suffering on living beings, the latter refers to excessive attachment to various object in the universe. Causing of excessive pain and suffering either by killing or by serious injury is the cause of influx of this Karma which is responsible for birth in hell. Constant cruel activities and misappropriation of other's property due to excessive attachment to material possessions are the causes of this Karma.
Deceitfulness causes the influx of life-Karma leading to the animal and vegetable words. 15 Deceitful disposition of the soul is the result of conduct-deluding Karma. That leads to birth in the animal world. The preaching of religion from a perverted attidude, lack of good conduct and propriety, desire for cheating others, blue and grey thought-colouration of the soul and mournful concentration during death are the varieties of deceitful conduct giving rise to life-Karma leading to the tiryanca gati. 16
Slight injury, slight attachment and natural mildness in character are the causes of life-Karma that leads to human life.17 Humility, gentle disposition, excellent behaviour, slight passion, freedom from distressful disposition at death, gentleness by nature are some of the causes that are responsible for the Karma leading to human birth. In other words, compassion, kindness, love, affection, honesty and truthfulness may be mentioned as some of the characteristics that lead to this life-Karma.
Right belief, restraint from attachment, self-restraint mixed with laxity, liberation from the Karmas in an involuntary manner, austerities attended with perverted faith cause the influx of lifeKarmas leading to celestial birth. Self-restraint is the key to
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