________________
Direct Knowledge
403
getting right attitude. He is confined to first gunasthāna as long as it continues. The second grade is apratyākhyānāvaraña. It does not allow the person to take any vow or observe the rules of conduct. One, who aspires in the fifth guṇastbāna, has to subdue it. The third grade is pratyäkyānāvaraṇa which stands in the way of full renunciation attained in the sixth guņasthāna. The fourth grade is samjvalana. In this grade the intensity of passions is reduced to such mildness as they do not put any material obstacle. Still they affect the life of an ascetic to the extent of minor pitfalls. This effect is subdued in the seventh step.
In the sixth guṇasthāna, one takes to the vows of an ascetic and adopts complete renunciation. But, still he is prone to pitfalls (pramādas). This is why, it is called pramattasamyata guṇasthāna. The pitfalls are five in number; namely:
(1) Intoxication (Madya), (2) sensual pleasures (visaya), (3) passions (kasāya), (4) slumber (nidrā) and (5) mundane talks (vikathā). The fifth guṇasthāna is open to subhuman beings also. But, the guṇasthānas beginning from the sixth onwards are open to human beings only. It means, an animal can take to the vows of a householder, but not those of an ascetic.
The seventh guṇasthāna is Apramatta samyata. In this stage the aspirant is very careful and keeps himself away from pitfalls.
The eighth is Nirvștti gunasthāna. In this stage the aspirant prepares himself for the destruction or subsidence of the remaining part of mohaniya.
One thing is noticeable here that darśanamohaniya is divided into three potencies, which are compared with the three guņas of the Sārkhya. The first and the strongest potency is mithyātvamohaniya, where the right attitude is an impossi. bility. The second is miśramohaolya which resuls into the mixed attitude marking the third guṇasthāna. The mildest potency is samyaktvamohanlya. This potency does not obstruct the right attitude. It is like an intoxicant bereft of the
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
