Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 77

70: An Introduction to Jaina Sādhanā
8. The eighth stage of spiritual development is called apūrvakarana. In this stage self attains a special purification and spiritual strength, and thus becomes capable of reducing the duration and the intensity of the previously bound Karmas. At this stage soul performs the four processes of Karma-sthitighāta ( destruction of the duration of Karma ), rasaghāta (destruction of the intensity of Karma), guna-sankramana (transformation of the quality of Karmic matter ) and apūrvasthitibandha (bondage of an unprecedented kind of duration ). The total process is technically known as apūrvakarana. In this stage the soul for the first time experiences the spiritual bliss and tranquility, and emotional disturbances do not effect it much. At this stage the three sets of four passions alongwith anger and pride of the fourth set disappear, only subtle deceit and greed alongwith nine sub-passions ( instincts ) remain.
9. The ninth stage is named as anivrttikarana, because the process of anivịttikarana operates in this stage. It is also known as bādara-sāmparāya gunasthāna, because in this stage there is occasional possibility of the soul being effected by gross passions ( bādara-sāmparāya ), although it has a power of control over them. At this stage, out of nine sub-passions (instincts ) three types of sexual instinct subside and only six instincts and subtle greed remain, but due to the presence of subpassions or instincts and subtle greed, a fear of attack by gross passions remain. At the end of this stage struggle for spiritual ogress comes to an end and the soul climbs the tenth ladder.
10. This stage is named as sūksma-sāmparāya-gunasthāna, because at this stage only subtle form of greed remains. This greed can be interpreted as the subconscious attachment of the soul with the body. When this subtle attachment alongwith remaining sub-passions is subsided or annihilated, the soul ascends to the next stage. The soul, which has made his spiritual