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GUNSTHANA
In Jain philosophy, 'Gunsthana' indicates fourteen stages of spiritual- development leading to final goal i.e. liberation of soul from entire karmic burden. The subject is well dealt with by authorities like 'Umāswati' in 'Tattavarth' and commentary on it, besides by eminent scholar, Pujya Pad Devanandi. A summary account of each stage, as actually experienced by pilgrims of the Path, the seekers to salvation is as follows:
1. Mithyādrasti gunsthān:- It is the nadir stage of soul when it is not conscious even of its existence much less of its goal. It revels in the realm of only senses i.e. palate, sight, hearing, smell and touch and is therefore subject to the gravest or virulent forms of tenacious passions of anger, pride, greed, lust. As a beast, it reacts to all situations, without applying discretion or self- control, lacking introspection. Hence indulgence in the gravest violence etc., little knowing the consequence of courting hell or life of sub-humans. Mahveer said 'thou is noneless than one, thou is killing'. This endless chain of consequential births, goes on uninterruptedly. It is steeped in pervert outlook.
2. IInd stage is called Saswadan, it is higher to 1st stage but is acutally reached in course of descent
