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THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS.
264. Five, nine, one, seventeen, eight, five, four, six, six, one, two, sixteen, thirty and twelve (cease to) operate (from the 1st stage) to the end of the non-vibratory omniscient (i. e., the 14th stage respectively).
Commentary. This account of the operation-cessation of the sub-classes is according to the saint Bhútabali, the author of Dhavala. The de tailed exposition which follows is based upon this.
It is worth noting that premature-operation (Udírna) of the sub-classes also ceases in the different stages. This premature operation-cessation is the same as the operation cessation for the 1st 6 stages except that the human age and pleasure and pain-feeling Karmas cease their premature-operation at the end of the sixth, although their operation goes on further. After the 6th stage, i. e., from the 7th onward up to the 13th the cessation of operation and premature-operation is different in the different stages as given in the chart below. In the 14th stage there is no premature operation.
The premature-operation of the human age and the pleasure and pain-feeling sub-classes of Karmas ceases at the end of 6th stage of imperfect vows, because a saint with perfect vows, i. e., in the 7th and higher stage, is not subject to accidental or other similar premature-death. Also in the 7th and higher stages, which are stages of concentration, the soul does not feel pleasure or pain although they exist in the form of operation of the Karmas on their maturity. But there is no hastening of the maturity and therefore of operation. In other words there is no premature Avipáka, but only mature or Savipáka shedding or Nirjará of these three subclasses of Karmas in the 7th and the higher stages.
The insensibility to pleasure and pain in these stages relates only to worldly feelings. The soul being in near touch with its own character feels the bliss which is its own eternal attribute and which is merely suppressed on account of the load of Karmas in Sansára.
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