Contribution of Jainas to Sanskrit and Prakrit Literature

Author(s): Vasantkumar Bhatt, Jitendra B Shah, Dinanath Sharma
Publisher: Kasturbhai Lalbhai Smarak Nidhi Ahmedabad

Page 68

Jain Yoga-Stages of Spiritual Development : Gunasthāna
to this spiritual inertia, the ascetic is under the influence of evil tendency and passions. This state lasts in the minimum one samaya and in the maximum less than a muhūrta. If the antarmuhurta, however has passed without any incident, he goes into the seventh stage. If he has ascended no series, he comes back to sixth stage and operation begins anew. This wavering between the sixth and seventh gunasthāna lasts in the maximum somewhat less than a 'pūrvakoti.' if the upaśama or ksapaka series is ascended, such a wavering does not take place. A saint or an ascetic in this stage possesses all the twenty-eight essential primary qualities (mūla-gunas). 7. Apramattavirata (Self-control without negligence)
The being belonging to this gunasthāna attains complete self-discipline by observing complete Vrata without negligence (pramada). It lasts one samaya till antarmuhūrta. From here, there are two Śreņis, or ways of ascent : i. Upasama śreni in which the right - conduct deluding karma subsides; ii Ksapaka śreni in which it is being destroyed. This latter is the necessary way
to Mokşa, liberation. 8. Nivștti Bādara Sāmparāya (Initiation to Higher Life)
Apūrvakaraṇa is practised in this stage whereby the pride is completely destroyed but there is existence of greed and deceit. A self, who is on the upaśama śreņi, remains on this stage in the minimum one samaya and in the maximum an antarmuhûrta; the one who is on the Ksapaka śreņi altogether
The aspirant practises as the beginner of the first Sukla Dhyāna'. 9. Anivștti Bādara Sämparāya : (Incessant Pursuit of Higher Spiritual Life)
An aspirant, on the upaśama or ksapaka śreņi, performs anivșttikaraṇalo. Whereby all lustful desire, veda and passions greed are destroyed. The duration is in the minimum one samaya and maximum antarmuhürta.
10. Sukşma Sämparāya
In this state all the passions except subtle greed" are annihilated2. It lasts one samaya till antarmuhúrta. This is also the stage of sukla-dhyāna.
11. Upaśāntamoha
All passions are suppressed. It lasts in the minimum one samaya and in