Jainism For Beginners Level 03

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 47

Sukshma-Samparaya-Charitra: To live a life with slightest trace of greed only
Yathakhyata or Vitaraga-Charitra: Living life like an Arihant.
[2]
NIRJARA
ERADICTION OF KARMAS
radication of previously acquired is similar
is
Eradi
cleaning the inside of the house after closing the doors to prevent incoming dust trash etc. Previously acquired Karmas that become operative get exhausted as they mature. When Karmas get exhausted on their own after giving the end results and no active effort was made to eradicate them, it is known as Akam Nirjara. This type of Nirjara is automatic. Accumulated Karmas, which are not currently operative, continue to stay with the soul in a dormant state due to bondage. Efforts such as penance, austerity etc. can eradicate them before they become operative. This process of eradication by deliberate effort is Sakam Nirjara.
Jain scriptures lay a considerable emphasis on austerities, ie Tapa. In Tattvartha-sutra, Acharya Umasvati states: Tapasa Nirjara Cha' It means that Nirjara can be achieved by Tapa
or austerities. Jains are therefore encouraged to perform Tapa. Tapa is usually taken as and is equated with fasting. Jains therefore fast longer to achieve Nirjara. It is generally overlooked that our scriptures have described 6 types of internal and 6 types of external Tapa. Fasting is only one of them. Three stanzas from the Panchachar Sutra, which are very pertinent in this respect, state as follows:
Internal and external Tapa laid down by the Seers is of 12 types. When they are observed while staying unperturbed and without any other consideration, it is known as Tapachar or code of austerity.
Fasting, eating less than needed, curtailing desires, relinquishing tasty foods, bearing physical pain and braving discomfort constitute the six types of external Tapa.
Repentance, reverence, rendering service, self-study, meditation and renunciation constitute the six types of internal Tapa.
When we talk of Tapa as a means for Nirjara, we mean internal Tapa. External Tapa is important as long as it is helpful and is conducive to internal Tapa, In practice we hardly think of internal Tapa and usually feel content by observing fasts or Anashan, the first
Nav Tatva (Part-II)
37