First Steps to Jainism Part 2

Author(s): Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur

Page 58

44
First Steps to Jainism
words the pilgrim has found his path and the Pilgrim's Progress has begun which may ultimately lead to the liberation of the soul thougb it may take milleniums and milleniums. During this progress through different Gunasthans the soul has to encounter ups and downs as also very unusual and unprecedented experiences known as Sreni etc. which have been described in detail in the Karma Grantha, for those interested in detailed study of this subject. Here it may be sufficient to give below the general observations and rudimentary information about these processes
1 (a) Three Karnas : These are
i) Yatha prayrti Karna-When the soul reducing the inte
nsity of Karma comes face to face with the Granthi or the Gordian knot of unbelief. Success or failure depe
nds on its own efforts. ii) Apurva Karna --Having succeeded in breaking the Gor
dian knot, the soul through further mitigation of Karma by Rasaghat (mitigation of intensity) Stithighat (mitigation of duration) Gunsankraman (interchange) and such processes enters upon new vistas of unprecedented experiences of spiritual advancement which lead to the
next Karna. iii) Anivritti Karna-Where the worst type of Kashaya and
Karma are annihilated and the soul is ready for higher stages of spiritual development and Gunasthans.
1 (b) Two Srenies (Ladders)--These are the two spiritual ladders one of suppression/subsidence of Karma and other of complete annihilation. Obviously only the latter can lead to liberation; the former may lead back to lower stages, though it may temporarily mean progress. They are named Upsham Sreni ( suppression ladder ) and Kshapak Sreni ( annihilation ladder ) according to their nature.
2 (a) Further the Gunasthans denote a purely spiritual exercisethe fourteen classifications relate to the spirit or the soul though it is embodied. The progress or regression is of the soul and is on the spiritual scale and according to spiritual yard-sticks. It connot be seen or observed in the physical world.
2 (b) Though the stages of spiritual development relate to the soul or are of the soul, they directly result from and are immediately