Facets of Jaina Religiousness in Comparative Light

Author(s): L M Joshi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 69

FACETS OF JAINA RELIGIOUSNESS
(naṣṭāṣṭakarmäṇaḥ siddhāḥ naṣṭaghatikarmano arhanta iti tayorbhedah),
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The siddhas are nameless, classless, ageless and sans feeling. They are established on the peak of the universe which is eternal, immovable, and undecaying (dhuvamacalam ajara-thana logasiharam-assido siddho). Because a siddha is free from karmas he becomes free from ten kinds of prana, and in the utter absence of the body, there is utter non-existence of pleasure and pain in him. The abode of the siddhas is wholly free from birth, old age, death, and disease (siddhikşetre vimale janma-jarämarana-rogairmukta). It is stressed that release (mukti) in this system is not nonexistence; it is the reality of pure self (suddhätmä) which is identical with mukti, siddha or paramätma. Some of the achievements, powers, and attributes of a siddha, the holiest of holi beings, are highlighted in the hymn of 'Four Refuges'. The following verses from this hymn also give us an insight into the piety and devotional fervour of a devout Jaina.
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"Perfected by the destruction of eightfold karman, rich in spontaneous knowledge and insight, perfected by the attainment of all their aims, may those Siddhas be my refuge. Standing on the summit of the three worlds, standing in the highest place, having unthinkable power, standing in the auspicious place of perfection, may the Siddhas be my refuge. With their enemies uprooted, observable by those who are not fools, visible to Sayogins, having obtained spontaneous happiness, possessing the highest release, the Siddhas (are my) refuge. With their foes repulsed, with all the seeds of existence burnt up by the fire of meditation, to be resorted to by eminent sages, the Siddhas are to be remembered as a refuge. Having made the greatest joy arrive, the essence of virtue, having split the roots of existence, having put sun and moon to shame, having put an end to strife, the Siddhas (are my) refuge. Having gained the highest knowledge, having obtained things which are hard to obtain, free from arrogance, pillars upholding the house of the world, without any activity, the Siddhas (are my) refuge."
"Without any activity", the siddhas do not act as teachers or saviours; that role is played properly by the arhats. But the siddhas are the ultimate realities and a source of that faith which has nourished what is now known as Jainism. The task of teaching and training disciples in the discipline which culminates in siddhahood is carried on by ascetic sages who are themselves striving to reach the end of their
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91.
Dhavalatika on Satkhandagamaḥ, vol. I, part I, p. 47.
Bhagavati Aradhana, verse 2127.
Ibid., verse 2130.
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93. Prasamaratiprakaraṇa, verse 288.
94.
Causarana-Painnaya, vv. 24-29. Translation by K.R. Norman.