________________
4 Hand Book of Jainology
pears in the jiva, then it will begin fearing samsar and doubts of that kind, mentioned above will arise in its heart.
98
In the states of existence, before the jiva reaches the last pudgal paravarthakal, it will not have a taste for moksha. The reason is it will keep thinking of its body and is intoxicated by its infatuation for inebriate delights arising from inert substances and for this the nourishing cause is natural impurity. This natural impurity is in the form of blind attachments and hatred. When this natural impurity is properly restrained or removed, or has decreased, the jiva begins to think of dharma. This condition arises in the life of a jiva only after it has reached the final Charmavarthakal. As long as a man is sick, he will not have a taste for food. In the same manner, in the acharamavarthkal, the jiva, will not have a taste for dharma. Only when the time attains ripeness in the Charmavarth, the jiva develops a taste for moksha.
We cannot say that as soon as the jivas enter the charmavarth, all of them will at once develop a taste for moksha. The taste may appear at once or later. There are three signs or features of a taste for dharma: (1) Compassion for those in distress; (2) the absence of hatred for those who are virtuous; (3) a sense of propriety.
When these three qualities appear, not for the attainment of any worldly benefits but on account of absolute selflessness and on account of an absolute tenderness of the heart, then it is said that the natural impurity which is in the form of dense and blind attachments and hatred has decreased, It is only by the decrease of that natural impurity that the blind infatuation of sensual passions can grow mild and the Atmatatva can think of moksha and can think of dharma.
It is not likely that all jivas attain in the very beginning the pure dharma expounded by the omniscient ones comprising the principles of Samyag darshan, jnan and charitra which constitute the path of moksha. But when those virtues appear in the jiva, they will lead him towards moksha. This is called the marganusari life or life on the approach-road to the path
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
