Jain Journal 1972 04

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

Page 24

APRIL, 1972
161
endless flux of time. These two principles of virtue and sin are, in a sense two different aspects of the bandha principle. Some exponents to Jaina philosophy, therefore, include them in the bandha principle, thus reckoning the principles as seven and not nine.
Samvara (Arrest of the Influx of Karma) ;
The seventh principle is samvara. The methods by which the asrava or influx of karma is arrested are called samvara. It is a principle contrary to āsrava. It is achieved by an undeviating practice of the discipline of mind, speech and body, religious meditation, suppression of desire, forgivenness, tenderness, purity of thought, truthfulness, austerities, renunciation, detachment, chastity, abstension from evil action and avarice ; and by thinking that the world is impermanent and the body full of filth, and that one has to suffer alone the sweet or bitter fruits of one's own karma.
Nirjarā (Elimination of Karma):
The eighth principle is nirjarā. It means the sloughing off or elimination of the coating of karma-pudgala from the soul. The karma which has once attached itself to the soul becomes active when it is time for it to bear fruit, and is subsequently exhausted; but if one fails to throw it out just before it starts bearing fruit, it becomes difficult to attain liberation, for, new karma flows in by the actions and reactions of the old karma while it begins bearing fruit. Therefore, it is necessary for those who aspire for liberation to exhaust all karma by the prescribed means of meditation, contemplation, etc. This process of exhaustion or elimination of karma is called nirjarā. Nirjarā is effected by rigourous austerities, which are of two kinds : external and internal. Fasting, abstemiousness, suppression of desire, renunciation of the rasa or pleasure, physical mortification and sitting, tucked up, in a solitary place these are the six kinds of external austerities. Penance, humility, nursing the sick and ailing monks, study of the scriptures, giving up of all attachments to the body, and contemplationthese are the six kinds of internal austerities.
Mokșa (Liberation) :
The ninth or final principle is mokşa. The soul's recovery of its own eternal self by the complete exhaustion or elimination of all karma is mokşa or mukti. When the soul breaks out of the karmic envelope, it realises its innate attributes of infinite knowledge, infinite