________________
288
COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
Raudra-dhyāna or cruel and violent contemplation is also of four kinds as the mind becomes occupied with violence, falsehood, stealing and protection of one's possessions. Cruel thoughts may occur in individuals who have adopted vows partially or may not have taken any vows at all. Entertaining such thoughts frequently will create excitement and effect the efficacy of right belief. Due to excessive anger or want of compassion, one may think of killing, striking, cutting, binding, burning or branding which are the various forms of violence or injury. There may be thoughts of cheating, slandering, using vulgar language and incite. ment to harmful actions and thus taking delight in false speech Similarly the intention to steal or rob others may be the result of intense greed which will cause injury to others. Desire to enjoy wealth add acquire what is not one's own will certainly lead to a mental condition of lure and oppresssion. Such toughts disturbing the meditation create aversion, attachment and infatuation of worldly life.15.
It would thus be clear that the two kinds of contemplations which are disturbed by unhealthy thoughts will retard the progress of the soul and generate new Karmas of inauspicious type. That is why they are called apraśasta or inauspious. They bar the path of liberation and involve the individual into the cycle of births and deaths.
Dharmya-dhyāna or virtuous meditation consists in the contemplation of the objects of revelation, misfortune or calamity, fruition of Karmas and the structure of the universe. This kind of meditation is free from passions and other causes of defilement of the soul. This is possible only in the seventh stage of spiritual advancement. This kind of meditation consists in thinking over "the nature of things, tenfold virtues like kşamă etc, the three jewels and protection of living beings. Attachment and aversion, sense pleasures and extraneous distractions etc are avoided and the mind is concentrated on the nature of the Atman; and one goes on meditation with joy and peace."10 R. Williams has translated dharmya as 'Moral. It consists in a) discerning the
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org