Book Title: Jainthology
Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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Page 115
________________ by self-denial, by confessing one's sins, by repentence, by austerities (Uttarādhyayana 29). As Madhavācārya, (Ibid., 15.23) says āśrava bhavahetuh syāt samvaro mokşakāraṇam : āśravas are the cause of birth in this world, samvara is the cause of liberation. Nirjară or liquidation of the already accumulated karmas is achieved througb prāyascitta (expiation) (Uttarādhyayana 29.12.16), austerities (Uttarādhyayana 29.27 and Sūtrakrtānga 2.2.15), by turning away from the world (Uttarādhyayana, 29.32), by renouncing activity, he obtains inactivity, by ceasing to act he acquires no new karma and destroys the karman he had acquired before (Uttarādhyayana 29.37). Again“...a man destroys by austerities or penance the bad karman which he had acquired by love and hatred" (Uttarādhyayana, 30.1). Mădhavācārya (Ibid., 15.23) defines nirjarā thus : arjitasya kārmaņastapaḥ prabhrtibhinirjaranam nirjarākhyam tatvam: nirjarà is that element which destroys the accumulated karmas through austerites. He adds that long accumulated karmic matter (cirakāla pravsttakāşaya) is destroyed through experiencing the results (sukha, dukkha) and through the body (deha) (by subjecting it to mortification). He also classifies nirjarā into two categories : yathākāla and aupakramika : the first type of nirjarā is the result of exhaustion of karmas through experiencing their results (karma phala pradatvenābhimatam); the second type of nirjarā is achieved through austerities (tapobala) practised by one's own volition (svakāmanāya). These austerities are of two kinds ; external and internal. External austerities are : anaśana (fasting), kāyakleśa (mortification of the body) such as pulling out the hair of the head (keśa luñcana), abstinence etc. (Uttarādhyayana, 30.8). Internal austerities are : prāyaścitta or expiation of sins, dhyāna (meditation), svādhyāya (study of scriptures) etc. (Uttarādhyayana, 30,30). The Sūrak rtānga 2.2.15 says kamam khavai tavassi mahān, karma decreases through austerities. In the preceding sutra 2.2.14 tapas is defined as fasting etc. Since karmas can be purged, the Jainas recognise that karmas fall off or are got rid of in two ways : (a) svavi pāka on their maturing 6 Madhavacarya (Ibid., 15.23) defines tapa as kesolluncanadhikam tapah, pulling out of hair from the head etc. 841 JAINTHOLOGY

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