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Essence of Jainism cultivation of ten meritorious qualities (dharma), viz. forbearance, modesty, uprightness, purity, truthfulness, restraint, austerity, renunciation, non-attachment and continence, (6) wholesome restriction of mental, vocal and bodily activities (gupti), (7) five self-regulating careful activities of mind, speech and body (samiti).
9. Partial dissociation (Nirjara) : Nirjara means partial dissociation of Karmic matter clung to the soul. It is of two types, viz. involuntary and voluntary. The Karmic matter gets dissociated from the soul as soon as it rises and gives its fruit. This dissociation is called involuntary dissociation as it is not effected by voluntary efforts of the soul. The Karmic matter which has not risen to give its fruit, but remains dormant is dissociated from the soul by the voluntary efforts. As this dissociation is affected by voluntary efforts, it is called voluntary dissociation. The voluntary efforts here meant are the twelve-fold austerity. Of the twelve austerities, six are external and six are internal. The six external austerities are as follows: to give up all sorts of food for a limited period of time or till death (anashana), to eat less than what is needed to fill the belly (unodari), to limit the items of food (vruttisam-kshepa), to give up stimulating or delicious food (rasaparityaga), to stay in lonely places free from all disturbances (viviktashayya-sanasamlinata) and to place one's body under stress through cold or heat, through adopting diverse postures and the like (kayaklesha). These external austerities help and strengthen the practice of the internal ones. By the practice of the internal austerities, one can achieve the dissociation of more Karmic matter. The six internal austerities are as follows : atonement; to repent and atone for the sinful acts (prayaschitta), veneration; to respect and honour the teachers and elders (vinaya), service; to render
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