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The ninth stage is named as Anivrttikarana, because the process of Anivrttikarana operates in this stage. It is also known as Badara-Smparaya Gunasthāna, because in this stage there is occasional possibility of the soul being affected by gross passions (Badara-Samparaya), although it has a power of control over them. At this stage, out of nine sub-passions (instincts), three types of sexual instinct subside and only six instinct and subtle greed remain, but due to the presence of sub-passions or instincts and subtle greed, a fear of attack by gross passions remain. At the end of this stage struggle for spiritual progress comes to an end and the soul climbs the tenth ladder.
This tenth stage is named as Suksma Samparaya Gunasthāna, because at this stage only subtle form of greed remains. This greed can be interpreted as the subconscious attachment of the soul with the body. When this subtle attachment along with remaining sub-passions is subsided or annihilated, the soul ascends to the next stage. The soul, which has made his spiritual progress through the ladder of subsidence (Upasama Sreni) ascends to the eleventh Gunasthāna and the soul, which take up the ladder of annihilation (Ksapakasreni), climbs directly to the twelfth stage.
This eleventh stage is known as Upasanta Mohaniya Gunasthāna; because in this stage deluding Karma remains in the subsided form. It is the highest stage for those who ascend through the ladder of subsidence or suppression. But ultimately the suppressed passions arise and disturb the tranquility of mind. The soul invariably descends from this stage either to the sixth or fifth or fourth or even first stage.
This is noteworthy that Jainism does not advocate the process of suppression of the passions for the spiritual progress.
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Jainism and its History
