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Jain Philosophy of Soul
(1) Nature
(Prakritis)
There are eight fundamental or chief species (Mūla Prakritis ). The nature of Karma refers to the eight classes of Karma"52 as already mentioned previously, namely the
Jñānāvaraṇiya Karma, which obscures knowledge :
Darśanavaraniya Karma, which obscures the undifferentiated cognition of the soul;
Vedaniya Karma, which obscures the feeling of pleasure and pain in the soul;
Mohaniya Karma, which so infatuates souls they fail to distinguish what is right from what is working;
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Ayuh Karma which determines the duration of life; Nama Karma which gives the various factors of individuality; Gotra Karma, which destines family surroundings; and Antaraya Karma, which tends to oppose or hinder the Jiva in his capability of resolution and enjoyment.
Such of these chief species (Mūla Prakritis) are further divided into 148 subspecies (Utter Prakrits)"53 The Jains have given an exhaustive classification of the chief and subordinate species. In Jainism the Karma is explained to have its four states, namely. 'Bandha', 'Udaya', 'Udirana', and 'Satta'. Bandha is the first state when soul unites with Karma, 'Udaya' is the realisation of the fruit or the result of Karma. 'Udirana' is the premature realisation and 'Satta' is existence in potentia. Considering these states of Karma, the number of chief species and sub-species differ.
(2) Duration (Sthiti)
The word duration suggests the duration of the Karma or time. The Jain concept of time is also to be considered. According to Jainism "the lowest unit of time is Samaya." ." Innumerable Samayas make one Avalika; and 16,777,216 Avalikas equal to one Muhurata which is of 48 minutes. Thirty Muhuratas make one day; and then days into weeks and months and years. The number of years can be expressed in words
52. आद्यो ज्ञानदर्शनावरणीवयनीयमोहनीयापुष्कनामगोत्रान्तरायाः । T.S. VIII.5 53. Dr. Glasenapp: The Doctrine of Karma in Jain Philosophy 1942, p. 6.10
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