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up by actions, i, e, only thoughts, 'bhava' Karma is set similarly in motion. In both however, the will or the intention is of prime importance. Acharya Sri Kunda Kunda in "Samaya Sara". gatha 265, clearly explains the role of intention or will in setting the process of karmic matter in motion. His explanation of Jainism set down in writing almost 2,000 years ago in four books viz “Samaya Sara, Niyama Sara, Pravachana Sara, and Panchastikaya Sara" is both phenomenal and authoritative. It is said about him that in his early years after initiation as a monk, while in deep meditation he is alleged to have projected himself in astral body to "Videha Kshetra" where Tirthankara Sri Simandhar Swami was delivering his address to the gathering in "Samosaran" which is a celestial lecture-hall erected by invisible heavenly beings at the order of their Lord Indra whenever Tirthankaras decided to deliver their sermons. It is believed that in a Samosaran", the Tirthankara rises upto 5,000 men's height and that it consists of 12 sabhas i.e. lecture sub-halls. There, someone noticed him from the size which was too small compared to the size prevailing in "Videha Kshetra". He was then bodily lifted and deposited in the palm of hand, the holder enquiring of the Tirthankara asto the identity. Sri Simandhar Swami informed the audience thereupon that a highly realised human being from the earth had travelled so far only to have detailed knowledge of Jainism in full so that all doubts be removed and the message truly spread. He was enjoined then to live in "Videha Kshetra" for as long as seven days and during this period he was fully instructed. Sri Kunda Kunda thereafter returned to the earth and wrote voluminously. Ponnurmalai, a hill 80 miles from Pondicherry is still there where can be seen his preserved 'foot-prints' and the meditation cave. Hundreds and thousands of Jainas in Tamil Nadu and from all South India visit the area every year on their sacred pilgrimage. I made the pilgrimage in 1984.
Here is gatha 265 of "Samaya sara" by Sri Kunda Kunda, with explanation by the renowned Tamilian scholar late Professor Sri Chakravarti:
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