________________
132 (c) The numerable sub-species of primary species have been mentioned. However, the knowledge-obscuring and physique-making karmas have innumerable sub-species also. 2. The term 'Antarāya' means physical or psychical obstruction, interruption, obstacle, hindrance or inter-presence so that the activity desired can not be physically performed or done. 3. The Svetambara version of aphorism 8.13 is very short. It has one term only- 'Donation etc.' (Dānādinām). Akalanka has not commented on this point as in many other cases. 4. Any physical action depends on mental or psychical proclivity. The obstructive karma is the instrumental cause in producing a psyche of negative character which does not allow an individual to act according to his desires. The obstructive karma, thus, is mostly psychological catalysing negative attitudes for any good action. 5. Besides having Karmic origin, this hindering attitude may have many other originating causes. The genetic factor may be one of them. The distorted functioning and insufficient or undesirable glandular secretions of endocrine system may be other important factors. The mental states of stress, envy, pressure or tension, anxiety, conflict or frustrations may also be responsible for these type of attitudes. Quite a number of times, the obstacles may be quite unexpected which surpass explaination except the karma theory. 6. The aphorism 8.13 indicates five types of activities only which are hindered by the obstructive karma. However, the current times have many more types of hindrances added to the above such as hinderances in (1) entrance into a good school for education or profession, (2) getting into service for career, (3) getting into politics successfully and the like. However, it may be pointed out that many direct or indirect methods of increasing the destruction-cum-subsidence of obstructive karma have also been popularised to put off the obstructions. 7. Sthânănga 2.431 mentions only two sub-species of obstructive karma:
(1) obstruction to (destruction of ) currently acquired gains. (2) obstruction to future gains.
In fact, the five varieties of the aphorism 8.13 are just extension of these two varieties.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org