________________
276
Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Svarupa
unavoidable death. Not all spiritual aspirants are alike. Some are strong, others weak. Some face foes like a lions, others manage to escape in order to save their skin. It teaches you to disregard both life and death or to treat them alike. One may cough, sneeze or belch but these do not violate Käyotsarga, since all these are involuntary. When he is immovably standing, some roof may collapse, some wall may smash his head or he may be consumed in fire. There may be trouble from thieves, robbers and even the government. When his meditation is over, he may move to a safe place, but he does not end it abruptly merely to save his life which is, after all, a: temporary sojourn. If some monk nearby is bitten by a snake and you are in midstream of Kayotsarga, you must end it before time to save another's life.
Mere stoppage of movement is not 'Kayotsarga' for that is easily done even by one-sensed beings. If it be merely the body that has become steady, it is not much, since what matters is steadiness of mind. With the mind wandering or wavering, steadiness of the body is binding still.
Some Acāryas have mentioned its four kinds as follows:(1) Utthita-Utthita-In a standing posture it is not only the body that is
straight, but also the mind which is elevated side by side. It is a really high class detachment both externally and internally. Utthita-Nivista-The body stands straight but the mind is involved in worldly affairs. This type of 'Kayotsarga' is marked by virtual absence of the mind. The body stands but the mind is seated. As such, there is no contact between the two. Upavista-Utthita-Because of disabling disease or old age a spiritual aspirant finds it hard to remain standing and so he performs ‘Kāyotsarga' in a comfortably sitting posture. His mind, however, is taking unimaginable flight. The mind contemplates holiness and righteousness whereas in (2) the mind contemplates mournful or cruel thoughts. Upavista-nivista-Not because of disease or age but merely because of idleness some one does Kāyotsarga sitting but lethargy has made also his mind dull. Both body and mind thus take a back seat.
Bhadrbahu has stated nine kinds of ‘Kāyotsarga' as follows :Physical Condition
Mental State (1) Utsrta-utssta-standing Concentration on auspicious and
righteous objects as also Sukla'
medititation (2) Utssta-standing
Thoughtless State. (3) Utsrta-Nisanna-Standing , Concentration on worldly things and
Roudra
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
