Doctrine of Liberation in Indian Religion

Author(s): Shivkumarmuni
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi

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THE DOCTRINE OF LIBERATION IN INDIAN RELIGIONS
2. vaikriya: this kind of body is attained only by the gods and infernal creatures which they can change into various forms according to their will. It is imperceptible to common man. 3. aharaka: it is acquired only by the great ascetics. It is projected by the advanced munis in order to get clarification of the doubt or for solving questions by a visit to their Teachers. 4. taijasa it is constituted by fine molecules. It works for the
consummation and digestion of food etc.
5. kärmaṇa: it is made of fine molecules of karmic particles which engulf the essential nature of the self.
Jaina process of transmigration can be understood only with reference to the above five bodies. The last two i.e. taijsa and kārmaṇa, are always attached to the self which requires the two bodies, namely taijasa and kārmaṇa in order to get new birth. It is in these two bodies that the elements of future birth are preserved in the form of seeds. The force which leads the self to rebirth is technically known in Jainism as the kärmaṇaśarira i.e. the body of karmas. It is nothing but the mixture of self and matter. As C.R. Jain states:
"This karmanaśarīra is the vehicle of transmigration and passes from life to life... There are periodic changes taking place mechanically in the constitution of this inner body or vestment of the soul and the form and conditions of next incarnation of life are determined by the new set of energies which arise in consequence of these changes. they adjust themselves, most accurately, mechanically. The karmanasarīra as modified by action itself determines the type and conditions of the next incarnation".86
This kārmaṇaśarīra i.e. the body of karmas which plays an important role in the process of transmigration, is nothing but the compound of spirit and matter. It is the very seed of rebirth and has the major power to regulate our destiny. According to Buddhism, the psychophysical components of the individual are destroyed and only vijñāna remains. It is projected with the previous karmas and produces rebirth. In Vedanta, there are three bodies namely the karaṇa, the sükṣma and the sthula-sariras, whereas in Jainism there are five bodies.
The doctrine of karma and transmigration is the noble fruit of the highest wisdom. There is no logical proof or scientific evidence for this mystic concept. But the law of karma and transmigration is the real solution to the wordly sufferings.
86. C.R. Jain, What is Jainism (Essays and Addresses), p. 179.