ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 505

Soul Adhyvasay 1
Purusharth
Bhava
Karmic-Body
| ||Karmons* Kashaya
Invisible Subtle-Body
Leshya
Physical and Social Environment
Genetics Bioenergetics Biocybernetics
Gross Physical-Body
Behavior (Yoga (Thought, Speech, Action)
Fig. 1: A Simple Model depicting interactions between Subtle body and gross physical body mediated via
Leshya Two forms of Leshya viz. (a) dravya-leshya and (b) bhava-leshya have been described. Dravya-leshya is the material (pudgal) form having material attributes influencing the gross physical-body. Dravya-leshya could be associated with Nama- and Gotra—Karma and with Ayush-karma, the respective determinants of the structure, environment and life span of the physical body.
Attributes of a group (varganayen) of dravya-leshya in the presence of Raag-Dwesh (attatchment-hatered) associated psycho-physical activities (yoga) induce bhava-leshya (reflecting and expressing the state of consciousness). Bhava-leshya based on the audayik bhava resulting from the fruition of the karma, blends again with kashaya and yoga to attract corresponding Karmic particles. Thus, the dynamics of this cyclic process continues leading to changes in bhava-leshya from time to time.
In other words, bhava-leshya at any given moment of time reflects the inner personality of the living-system and influences the pattern of the mental, verbal or physical activities of the physical body, which in turn induce fresh inflow of the karmic matter (Asrava) and bondage of the Karmic-particles with the soul; the strength and duration of the bondage being determined by the type of the karma and intensities of primal instincts and emotions associated with these activities.
2.5. Colors of Leshya are Indicators of Behavior Dispositions
Behavior dispositions of living systems have been characterized by six different types of leshya, denoted by different colors: 1. Krsna (black). 2. Nila (blue), 3. Kapot (gray), 4. Taijas (red). 5. Padam (yellow) and 6. Sukla (white).
Behavior of persons with different leshyas has been illustrated by the story about six travelers, who were lost in a forest and felt hungry. On seeing a tree laden with fruits, they contemplated different actions to fulfill their desires to eat the fruits of the tree. The individual with the black leshya (black leshi) thought it appropriate to cut the tree from the very root, the blue leshi to chop off all the branches, the grey leshi to cut only the fruit bearing