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DOCTRINE OF GUNASTHANA
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for the absence of self-control in this stage is that the right faith which has been attained is due to only one of the three types of karma being overcome. These are : complete subsidence of the vision-deluding karma (aupaśamika), subsidence-cum-dissociation of the relevant karma (kşayopaśamika) and the annihilation of the life-long passions and the three types of vision-deluding karma (ksayika-samyagdrsti). Unless all the three are accomplished, selfcontrol cannot be attained and unless self-control is gained the next stage cannot be attained.
Stages 5,6 & 7: Deśavirata samyagdrsţi guṇasthāna, Pramatta samyata gunasthāna & Apramatta saṁyata gunasthāna : These refer to the struggles that go on between the individual's will which tries to conquer the sensual desires and the sense organs which constantly try to pull the individual down. Success is naturally to be gained only gradually. The first stage where there is only partial success signifies that there is a spiritual disposition and though there is earnestness and effort on the part of the individual, he meets only with partial success in the battle. In the next stage success is almost achieved. It seems as if full control has been gained by the individual, but the impulses have still got some sway over him. Distraction is the result and self-mastery is not complete. Thus in this stage also the full power of the soul does not come to the fore and it can well be described as a stage of spiritual inertia (pramatta-saṁyata). In the third stage the individual is crowned with complete success, he gains real mastery over himself. The spirit has after all conquered the body. Spiritual inertia which characterized the previous stage has been overcome. This stage is considered to be a critical one in that the individual, from this stage of his evolution can either reach absolute perfection or only relative perfection. Absolute perfection is attainable by thoroughly annihilating the evil effects of karma and the path-way to this is referred to as ksapaka śreni Relative perfection refers to the mere passifying of the kārmic influence on the purity of the soul and this is referred to as upaśama śreni.
Stage 8 : Nivrtti bādara samparaya gunasthāna : This is characierized by the soul acquiring a rare psychical force which can be made use of in the subjugation and eradication of karma. Due to the purity of the soul at this stage it is even capable of shortening the duration and weakening the intensity of the karmas which
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