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The processes whereby living beings put in efforts, with the intention to eliminate karmas, through penance and prayers etc, result in a significant number of karmas detaching from the soul. This is known as Sakaam nirjara.
According to Jain scriptures there are twelve types of sakaam nirjara. Of these, six are known as Bahaya tap (External penance) which discipline the human body against passions and desires, and six are known as Abhyantar tap (internal penance) which purify the soul.
Six Types of Bahaya Tap
1) Annshaan- Abstaining from consuming any food
2) Unnodari-Reduction in the quantity of food normally consumed
3) Dravya Sankshep-Limiting the number of food items of material used 4) Ras Tyaag
Complete abstinence from eating juicy or tasty foods, therefore preventing any attachment to the taste of food
5) Kayakalesh - Undergoing voluntary physical hardships or denying physical comforts to the body 6) Salinta - Controlling the activities of the five senses and the mind
Six Types of Abhyantar Tap
1) Prayaschit - Repentance
2) Vinay - Politeness and humility in our behaviour towards teachers and elders
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3) Vaiyavacch-Caring for other human beings
4) Swadhyaya - Studying and listening to religious scriptures
5) Kausagga - Where activities of the mind, body and speech are withdrawn
6) Dhyan Religious meditation
Karma is Physical Matter
Karmas that are attached to the soul are specific and microscopic particles called pudgala. Pudgala is matter that can be joined (puran) or separated (gala). Clusters of matter that have form, colour, shape, touch, taste, smell, size and other similar properties are known as pudgala.
Jain philosophy notes that the entire universe has six dravyaa or substances and pudgala is one of them. Pudgala refers to all matters in the universe, including all minute, subtle, unexplained and less understood atomic particles. These particles can be of both positive and negative nature but have similar natural properties. Karma is also one such microscopic atomic particle. In Karma Vigyan this particle is referred to or called Pudgala.
Jain Education International
By practicing the aforementioned twelve taps, through penance or by strong religious faith, all karma pudgalas can be detached from the soul in the process known as nirjara. With nirjara, the relationship between the soul and karma pudgala existing since eternity comes to an end. The soul regains its original property and attains moksha.
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