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FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
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would enter if one should go further and act contrary to the spirit of the vow. Similarly karma is acquired by failing to take, or offending against, the spirit of the vow against lying, thieving, coveting and acting unchastely.
Karma will also flow into any soul which has allowed The three either mind, speech, or body to become too entangled with yoga. a material object. If the mind is taken up with meditation on a Tīrthankara or on a Siddha, the influence is good, and a favourable channel (Subha āśrava) is opened up, through which, instead of karma, merit (punya) flows into the soul; but if the mind is occupied with an evil thought (e.g. if such and such a merchant dies, I shall get his wealth), a bad channel is opened, and through this bad channel (Aśubha āśrava) cvil karma enters. In the same way there is a śubha and aśubha āśrava of speech: by repeating the name of Siddha or the Pañća Parameśvara merit is acquired, but by evil or abusive speaking bad karma enters the soul. Finally, if one saves life, for example, by bodily exertion, it is śubha āśrava, whilst killing is, of course, aśubha āśrava.
Besides these seventeen major channels or āśrava, there The are twenty-five minor ways by which karma is acquired, twenty. all of them connected with action. If one is not careful minor about the movements of one's body, an injury may be Aśrava. inflicted on some person or thing (Kāyikī āśrava) and evil karma acquired, and the same thing may happen through the careless use of weapons (Adhikarariki), or through hatred (Pradveșiki), or intentionally (Paritāpanikī), or some prāņa (Prānātipātikī) may be injured. Again, by beginning to build a house or to till a field some insect life may be hurt (Ārambhiki), or by gathering together great stores of grain, cattle, or wealth covetousness may arise (Pārigrahiki) and give birth to karma. One might do some one an injury through deceit (Māyāpratyayiki), or acquire evil karma by acting contrary to the dictates of Mahāvira and obeying the commands of some false faith (Mithyādarśanapratyayiki). Through omitting to take a vow to go to a certain place (e. g.
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