Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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darkest period in the history of the self is the one when Mithyādarśana overwhelms the self. It obstructs all our mystical endeavours.
Thus the plight of the self in Mithyātva-gunasthāna resembles that of a totally eclipsed moon or a completely clouded sky. It is a state of spiritual slumber with the peculiarity that the self itself is not cognizant of its drowsy state. Led astray by the perverted attitude, the soul staying in this guṇasthāna identifies itself with bodily colour, physical frame, se creed, family, friends and wealth.21 The consequence is that it is constantly obsessed with the fear of self-annihilation on the annihilation of the body and the like22 and is tormented even by the thought of death.23 Besides, it is the victim of the seven kinds of fear24 and the eight kinds of pride. 25 Again under the influence of Mithyādarśana 'One accepts the Adharma (wrong religion) as the Dharma (right religion), the Amārga (wrong path) as the Mārga (right path), the. Ajīva (non-soul) as the Jiva (soul) the Asādhu (non-saint) as the Sādhu (saint), the Amukta (un-emancipated) as the Mukta (emancipated) and vice versa. '26 Kundakunda 27 and following him Yogindu, Pujyapāda, Subhacandra, Kārttikeya etc. recognise this Mithyātva-gunasthāna as the state of Bahirātman. In this guṇasthāna there are such souls as will never triumph over this darkest period and hence will never win salvation. 28 They are technically called Abhavyas. Haribhadra aptly calls them Bhāvābhinandīs29 (those who welcome transmigratory existence). In contrast to these souls, there are, according to Haribhadra, Apunarbandhakas who are also occupying this gunasthāna.30 The difference is that the latter are moving in the direction of becoming Samyag-drsti is and consequently do not commit sinful acts with much strong inclination, do
21 Paramātmaprakāśa, I. 80 to 84. 22 Jñānārava of Subhacandra XXXII, 18, (Rajachandra Ashram, Agas) 23 Samadhisataka of Pujyapāda 76 (Vira Seva Mandir, Delhi) 24 Mülācāra of Vattakera, 53 (Rajachandra Ashrama, Agasa): Fear of (1) this world (2) other world, (3) death, (4) unrest from disease, (5) accidental occurrence (6) insecurity, and (7) loss of affluence or self-control. 25 Ratnakaranda-śrāvakācāra of Samantabhadra, 25 (Vira Seva Mandir, Delhi): Pride of (1) learning, (2) honour, (3) family, (4) caste, (5) power, (6) opulence, (7) penance, and (8) body. 26 Sthànārga-sūtra (vide, Studies in Jaina Philosophy by Nathmal Tatia, Varanasi) P. 145, (P.V. Research Institute, Varanasi) 27 Moksa-pāhuda, 8 28 Samayasara of Kundakunda, 273 (Jaina Vidya Sansthana, Jaipur) 29 Yogadrstisamuccaya, 75 30 Yogadrstisamuccaya, Introduction, K. K. Dixit, PP. 5 to 11.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
