ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 104

foreign matter can enjoy its nature of infinite knowledge and bliss for ever. In this mantra, we see that obeisance is paid to those who have achieved this status of pure soul (both as with a human body (Arihanta) and the other without a human body and just soul state 'siddha') as well as to those who are hundred percent committed and practicing the Jain code of spiritual purification to attain the pure soul state.
Now, we ponder over the distinguishing characteristics of these five auspicious beings as per "Niyamas ra' of Kunda- Kunda.
2.0 Arihanta (omniscient with human body):
Gha gh dikamma rahid , Kevala adi paramga sahid, Cauttisa-adisayajutt, Arihat erisa ho ti.
Niyams ra-71
Meaning: Arihantas are those living beings who are entirely free from all the four types of obscuring karmas (Gh ti-karmas, i.e. Knowledge obscuring, perception obscuring, deluding & obstructive karmas) and possess the highest attributes i.e. omniscience, infinite perception, infinite power and infinite bliss. They are crowned with thirty four extra ordinary glories called 'Ati ayas' for a total (including internal and external) of 46 glories. The omniscience and infinitei-perception in Arihantas & Siddhas are found as co-existent and simultaneous and not sequential i.e. not one after the other.
Arihantas are thus living human beings, who as a result of intensive practice of spiritual path of purification and penance have removed the four obscuring karmas completely from their soul and have attained omniscience. They then deliver sermons, based on their experience for our benefit so that we can also practice the path shown by them and attain the omniscience. Todaramal in his monumental work 'Moksa Mrga Prak aka' has written the characteristics of 'Arihantas' (adorable worship Lords) as under:
2.1 Characteristics of Ariha tas First we ponder over the characteristics of Arihantas. He (the true believer) who having renounced the house holder's life and accepted monk's conduct (ascetic life), has destroyed the four gh ti karmas (obscuring Karmas) through immersion in one's own soul's intrinsic nature and in him are manifested the highest attributes of four-infinites (ananta catustaya). Through infinite knowledge (ananta jn na) omniscient know directly all substances (6 types of dravyas) simultaneously together with their infinite attributes and modifications: through infinite perception-ananta dar ana (omniperception) perceives all these substances in general undifferentiatedly through infinite energy 'Ananat Virya'. He always holds such potency (of knowing & seeing). Through infinite bliss (Anant Sukha) he experiences supreme bliss. Further, who has attained the state of perfect serenity and peace by freeing oneself from all sorts of impure dispositions like attachment aversion etc. and has achieved the state of supreme or pure soul state by becoming free from hunger, thirst, birth-death and all sorts of physical maladies thereby turning his body into a supernatural 'Param-Aud rika' body.
He has no weapons or clothing, is devoid of censurable signs and symptoms of sex feeling, anger etc., foul dispositions and emotions and by whose sermons the 'Dharma- Tirtha' (true religious path) prevails in the universe by means of which the mundane beings attain the welfare of the self; and who is found possessing different glories (Ati ayas) and greatnesses which are cause for worldly people to believe in his being supreme soul. He is adored by the Ga adharas (the principal disciples of a fordmaker) etc. for their own spiritual benefit; thus become adorable in all respects. To these i.e. Ariha tas, I (Todarmal) offer my salutations.
3.0
Siddhas (The liberated non-corporal pure souls):
atthattha Kammaba dh, Attha Mah gu a Sama id Param. Loyaggathid icch Siddh te eris ho ti
Niyams ra-72
Page 94 of 556
STUDY NOTES version 4.0