Jain Journal 1969 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 24

OCTOBER, 1969
67
infinite perpetual energy and the stationary wave motions, similar to fire or the sun possessing light and heat. By this inherent energy and wave motion the emancipated soul is possessed of infinite knowledge and infinite perception. He is self-existing unlike the mundane souls. He is vitarāga or desireless as he is free from wants. Infinite knowledge, eternal freedom and rhythmic vibrations of his vyañjana paryāya, all these make him infinitely happy.
Implicit faith in the truth whether born with the help of the preceptor or fostered by a spontaneous intuition of the truth, is the starting point of the path of spiritual realization.
Penance (tapas), restraint of mind (dama) and moral observances (niyama) are not possible for one having attachment to life and property. The sense of “mine” is an evil. Identification of the soul with the body is the root evil to be got rid of. This is possible only if one practices detachment from the body which means indifference towards it, i.e., not taking care of its well being.
Influx and bondage as a matter of necessity require some energy on the part of the soul for their origination. This energy is known as vīrya. The activity of the soul (yoga) is nothing but an imperfect expression of this energy. The activities are three-fold in as much as they belong to the body, to the sense organ of speech or to the mind. According to the Jainas, the vibration (yoga) due to delimited energy and the passions (kaşāyas) of the soul attracts kārmic matter and transforms it into kārmic body. The infinite-fold activities of the soul leads to infinite-fold bondage. The perfect state is however reached on the cessation of all activities. The virtuous and the moral activities are as much to be avoided as the sinful ones. This process of bondage is without beginning but not endless. It stops with the stoppage of activity of the soul. The stoppage of the activity is attended by the release of the undefined infinite energy. Association with kārmic matter delimits the energy of the soul and the delimited energy of the soul effects association with kārmic matter. Thus the process goes on.
The first condition is the stoppage of inflow of new karma matter into the soul. It is achieved by the control of thought, speech and physical movements or trigupti. Observance of pañca vratas (five vows), dañca samitis (five regulations), daśa dharmas (ten virtues) dvādaśa anuperkṣās (twelve contemplations), dvāvimśa parişaha-jaya (conquest of twenty-two afflictions) and dvādaśa tapas (twelve austerities) promote