________________
Mithyatva, Sasadhan, Misra, Avirat Samyaktva, Deshvirat, Pramatta virat, Apramatta virat, Apurva Karan, Anivritikaran, Sukshma Sampraya, Upshant Kashaya, Kshin Kashaya, Sayog Kevli, Ayog Kevli are fourteen gunsthanas, stages of sequential qualitative progress.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Mithyatva or utmost irrationality: It is the stage of utmost ignorance and darkness and all actions and attitudes are in wrong directions.
Sasadan: It indicates slight, improvement in attitude and action.
Mishra : It is a mixed stage, wavering between rational and irrational.
Avirat Samyaktva: In this stage realisation of rationality comes but vows are not adopted properly in letter and spirit. But this does not mean that the realisation or change is only in attitude and not at all in conduct. The person in this stage also follows, may be minimum code of conduct. He abstains from wine and non-vegetarian diet and proceeds on right path.
Deshvrat: In this stage five vows of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-acquisition (disproportionate) and celibacy are adopted with reasonable relaxations. This is the stage of a good house holder, and as such carries on his responsibilities of his profession and in the process, if need arises has to resort to violence also in self defence.
Pramatt Sanyat: It is an initial stage of an ascetic, a recluse. He adopts vows in letter and spirit but with occasional unawareness (Pramad).
Apramatt Sanyat : When the ascetic is in full awareness or mindfulness in practising his vows.
Apurvakarn: The aspirant proceeds further and attains more purity in his three modes of mind, speech and body.
Anivritikaran: The aspirant proceeds and progresses further with higher purity, awareness or concentration. The previous stage may be equated with sixth stage 'Dharna' (Concentration) of Patanjali Yoga and this stage with seventh stage 'Dhyan' (Contemplation).
Sukshmasmpraya: The ascetic minimizes his emotions of anger, variety, hypocrisy and greed to almost nil.
Upshantkashaya The four emotions are completely subdued but not totally destroyed and may arise on wavering from the right path.
39
