Doctrines of Jainism

Author(s): Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi Godiji Jain Derasar Mumbai

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The Doctrines of the Jainas
they could arrive at truth. By proceeding exclusively from either side they would only be led to error. The syad mode was the real way of escape from the position of the dogmatist and that of the sceptic, from both of which Mahavira recoiled. Syat means 'may be' and it is explained as kathamcit (somehow).
Lesya is a term signifying colour according to the Sutrakrtanga (1.6.13). The classification of living beings in terms of six colours may be traced in Parsva's doctrine of six jivanikayas.1 Lesya is said to be that by means of which the soul is tinted with merit and demerit. It arises from yoga or kasaya, namely the vibrations dut to the activity of body, mind or speech or passions.2 Parsva's doctrine of the six classes of living beings served as the basis of Mahavira's doctrine of six lesyas. The lesyas are different conditions produced in the soul by the influence of different karma. They are, therefore, not dependent on the nature of the soul but on the karma which influences the soul. They are named in the following order : black, blue, grey, red, yellow and white. The black (krsna) lesya has the colour of a rain cloud, a buffalo's horn. The blue (nila) lesya has the colour of the blue Asoka (Jonesia Asoka) having red flowers. The gray (kapota) lesya has the colour of the flower of atasi (Linum usitatissimum) having blue flowers. The red (rakta) lesya has the colour of vermilion. The yellow (padma) lesya has the colour of orpiment. The white (shukla) lesya has the colour of conch-shell.3
The taste of the black lesya is more bitter than that
1. 2. 3.
Acharanga, II, 15.16. Law, Mahavira, His Life and Teachings, p. 104. Vde in this connection S. Stevenson, Heart of Jainism, pp. 102 f.