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PATH TO LIBERATION
177 The Eight Kinds of Karma. We have discussed various kinds of karma as we have worked laboriously through the long lists of divisions and subdivisions under which the Jaina classify the tenets of their faith ; but it will probably make for clearness if, in studying the most popular way of classifying this important doctrine of karma, we begin as it were de novo and divide the subject afresh under the eight headings which the Jaina themselves most frequently quote.1
The first kind of karma is that which hides knowledge i. Jäānā. from us. As a bandage bound across our eyes prevents us Varaniya
karma. from seeing, so does Fñānāvaranīya karma prevent our re. ceiving mental illumination for innumerable oceans of time.' It is divided into eight classes : first Matijñānāvaraṇīya, which prevents our making a right use of our conscience and intellect; this again is subdivided into Utpåtiki, which hinders the power of spontaneous thought; Vainayikī, the karma which prevents our getting those powers which are obtained by showing deference to our elders; Pāriņāmiki, by which we are hindered from gaining any benefit or knowledge from experience; and lastly Kāmiki,” a karma which impedes our obtaining any intellectual stimulus from memories of the past or from hope for the future. Perhaps these are nearly sufficient for our purpose, as showing how completely karma can prevent our gaining knowledge ; but the Nandi Sūtra goes into the subject at great length, and discusses twenty-eight other minor ways in which Matijñānāvaraniya karma may impede learning. It is important also to note the other kinds of Jñānāvaraniya karma, which prevent our getting any knowledge from reading the sacred books (Śrutajñānāvaraṇīya); or never allow us to know what is passing in the minds of others (Manaḥparyāyajñānāvaraṇīya); or what is happening at a distance (Avadhijñānāvaraṇīya); and lastly prevent our
1 For a full analysis of this somewhat confusing subject, see Appendix, p. 309.
2 Or Karmajā.
