First Steps to Jainism Part 2

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

Page 63

Stages of Progress of the Soul 49
stage. However, if it is able to abjure negligence (Pramad) it inay progress to the next higher stage No. (vii) Apramatt Samyat Gunastban. The salient features of this stage is completely disciplined life by adoption of all the five Major Vows (vrata) described in Pt I. This means complete dedication to the practice of Three Jewels the Three Ratna-Right faith, Right Knowledge and Right conduct which is prescribed as the royal road leading towards liberation. Thus, in this stage second cause of Bondage of Karma i.e. Avirati is also discarded by the soul.
4 (vii) Apramatt Samyat Gunasthan
Herein are saints who have not only adopted all vows and self control but who abjure negligence (Pramad) completely. From this stage of spiritual development the soul may go down to stage (vi) of Negligence. Or it may progress on the pathways called srenies which may be the Suppression (Upsham) or Annihilation (Kshaya) of the Karma known as Upsham sreni or Kshapak sreni respectively.
If it goes down to stage (vi) it can come back to this stage (vii) and this process can continue for a long time, till one of the srenies is attained. In respect of srenies also, only kshaya sreniannihilation of Karma can ensure complete liberation (and not the other Upshama sreni). The inclination and preparation for these srenies takes the being to the next stage number eight called Apurva Karna Gunasthan.
From this stage No (vii) to stage (x) the soul purifies itself by progressively reducing passions or Kashayas-mithyatva, avirati, and pramad having been discarded already. This stage is therefore, the beginning of the four stages of progressive purity which prepare the soul for the highar stages xi, xii and xiji. At the same time this stage being on the border is full of chances of downfall of the soul to lower stages due to Karma manifestation and due to pramad (negligence) etc.
4 (viii) Apurva Karana or Nivratti Badar Gunasthan
As implied by its name this stage involves unprecedented (Apurva) attainments by the soul indicating for it the path of liberation. These are destruction of intensity and duration of bound karma called Rasaghat or Stithighat respectively. Through such processes of purification the soul prepares to ascend one of the two srenis i.e. either the Upshama sreni (Subsidence ladder) or Kshapak