Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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4.3.3 Potency or strength of karmas
It refers to the intensity of experience resulting from the karmas which leads to the intensity if bondage.
4.3.4 Space-points of karmas It is concerned with the extensiveness and the aggregation of krmika particles associated with the soul.
The three fold activities determine nature and space point bondages while the passions determine duration and potency of bondage. This diversity of bondage is due to the degree and intensity of passions. If the soul does not take the modes of activities and passions, then the k rmika particles are destroyed. Hence the soul is not the cause of bondage.
The four types of bondages as discussed above are intimately associated and affect the soul accordingly.
So far we have seen that the soul gets involved in the cycle of life and is bound due to influx of karmas. This bondage is beginning-less but it has an end. The soul with its inherent capacity is pure and perfect and can achieve the ultimate sate of eliminating all types of bondages to it. This is possible by means of a process, which gradually stops new bondages and then eliminates the effects of exiting bondages (k ayop ama). From now onwards the self-realization starts.
We therefore have to take steps in this direction namely
Sa vara or stoppage of influx and bondage (new) Nirjar or dissociation of existing karmas with the soul
These steps follow that order i.e. Sa vara first and Nirjar then.
5.0. Sa vara - (Stoppage of influx of new karm s in soul)
Sa vara or stoppage of the influx of new karm s is the first significant step in the process of liberation of the soul from karma. Sa vara is the opposite of A rava; it is so called as it prevents the attraction of karma particles towards the soul. Um sw mi has given a precise definition - The obstruction of influx is stoppage'. (Sa vara)
sravanirodhah sa varah' (TS/IX/1)
It is the harbinger of spiritual development that chooses the entry for new karmas. Continuing the earlier simile, if the entry of water in to a boat through a hole is to be stopped, the hole must be plugged. If the wind is blowing in through the window, the window must be closed. This is the common sense remedy. The some principle applies to stoppage of influx of new karmas. If the influx is to be stopped, the activities, which cause it, must be stopped. If the passions are the cause, they must be subdued. Many of karam s are due to wrong belief. When a person is in a state of delusion or in the grip of a passion, he will not know what is good for the soul. He becomes deeply involved in attachments of the world and affected with miseries of various kinds.
5.1. Dravya Sa vara and Bh va Sa vara
Sa vara is of two types
Dravya Sa vara Bh va Sa vara
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0
