________________
Shedding of Karmic Matter Nirjarâ means the falling away of karmic matter from the soul. The fetters may by themselves gradually wear out and leave the soul free; but it is a long process. Therefore a shorter method is adopted; deliberate activity may hasten the ripening of a karma and the shedding of its matter. To illustrate : we wish evil to our neighbour A; the thought-activity invites the karmic matter into the soul (aśrava), the matter comes and binds the soul (bandha). This karma may take two months to bear its full fruits; in the meantime it is an evil load for the soul. To gain ligtness and to get rid of the karma, the soul may deliberately feel an opposite kind of feeling towards other neighbours B, C, and D, or towards A himself. A still surer way is to practise austerity. By removing the mind from the demands and impulses of the body, and by mortifying the physical man through not listening to its greed and temptations, matter may be overcome and soul freed from the bondage.
The natural maturing of a karma and its separation from the soul is called savipaka-nirjarâ. Inducing a karma to leave the soul by means of a contrary karma, or by means of ascetic practices, is called avipáka nirjarâ (riddance without fruition).
The terminology of the distinction is derived from botany. A seed grows into a fruit. It may ripen by itself (savipâka); or it may be plucked half-ripe, or even unripe, and then ripened by artificial means.
The causes of stopping of inflow of Karmic matter given above* are also causes of the shedding of the karmas already bound to the soul.
In addition to these, austerities (capa) also cause the shedding before its time. Tapa, austerities are external and internal. External austerities are : 1. Anaśana, Fasting. 2. Alamodarya, Eating less than one's fill, or less than one has appetite for.
3. Vritti-parisankhyâna, Taking a mental vow to accept food from a householder, only if a certain condition is fulfilled, without letting any one know about the vow.
4. Rasa parityága, Daily renunciation of one or more of six kinds of delicacies, viz:
1. Ghee (clarified butter). 2. Milk. 3. Curd. 4. Sugar. 5. Salt.
6. Oil. 5. Vivikta sayyâsana, Sitting and sleeping in a lonely place, devoid of animate beings.
* Supra pp. 160-162
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
