Outlines of Jainism

Author(s): J L Jaini, F W Thomas
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Page 89

METAPHYSICS : VIII. THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES
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temptations, matter may be overcome and the soul freed from the bondage (47-8, 50).
The natural maturing of a karma and its separation from the soul is called savipāka-nirjarā. Inducing a karma to leave the soul by means of a contrary karma, or by means of ascetic practices, is called avipākanirjară (riddance without fruition).
The terminology of the distinction is derived from botany. A seed grows into a fruit. It may ripen by itself (savipāka); or it may be plucked half-ripe, or even unripe, and then ripened by artificial means (49).
Moksha (51-3) The complete freedom of the soul from karmic matter is called moksha.
It is attained when the two mighty entities part and stand separate : the soul in the calm and bliss of perfect knowledge, and the matter inert but for its mechanical readiness to fasten itself upon some other unemancipated soul.
The separation is effected when all the karmas-the four destructive (ghātiya) and the four non-destructive (aghātiya)-have left the soul, and no more karmic matter can be attracted towards it.
IX. THE NINE PADĀRTHAS (54-8) The above seven tattvas together with punya, merit, and pāpa, demerit, are the nine padārthas (54).
Punya is the meritorious kind of karmas. The desirable kind of thought-activity is punya ; e.g. love for righteous living, devotion to Arhats, etc.