Parmatma Prakash

Author(s): Yogindra Acharya
Publisher: Central Jaina Publishing House

Page 79

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PARMATMA-PRAKASH.
[331-335
331. The Parmatma Parama Pâda (supreme status of Godhood) variously described as Harihara, Brahman, Buddha and Parmatma Prakasha- the same is the (status of the) Siddha Jinendra Deva.
332. Shri Jinendra Devas have described that Jiva as the Siddha (perfect) Mahant (the supreme saint) who has destroyed his Karmas and obtained absolute, everlasting freedom by the power of self-contemplation.
NOTE. According to Jainism, Parmeshwara or Parmâtman is not any particular person; this Atman (soul) in its real, pure Svâbhâva consisting in Ananta Jnana (omniscience), etc., is itself the Parmatman. The supreme status of Âtman is Parmatman and the same is spoken of by one thousand and eight different names such as Hari, Vishnu, Brahma, Buddha, Jina, Parmatma Prakasha, and the like. When the Jiva destroys his Karmas he becomes the Parmatman. As already stated there are eight principal kinds of Karmas, namely, (1) Jnana-Varniya which hides and covers the real nature of soul, that is omniscience; (2) Darshana Varniya which impairs its power of perception; (3) Mohniya which entangles it in worldly attachments and thus by making it stupefied prevents it from getting self-knowledge and spiritual bliss; (4) Antrâya which interferes with freedom of action; (5) Ayu which keeps the body for a certain period; (6) Vedniya which provides the means and circumstances of pains and pleasures; (7) Nâma which is the cause of the various shapes, colours and dimensions of the body and of all the limbs; and (8) Gotra, which is the cause of birth in a bigh or low family or position. When the first four of these are annihilated, the four pure infinite Gunas (attributes), that is, infinite knowledge, infinite perception infinite happiness and infinite power, become manifest in the soul which is then called an Arhat. This is the condition of Jivan Mukti (liberation while still ensouled in the body). When the remaining four Karmas are also destroyed, the soul goes unto Nirvana and becomes undeclinable, unobstructible, bodiless, and free from heaviness or lightness. It is at this stage that the soul evolves out all the divine attributes in perfection and is called a Siddha in Jaina phraseology.
333. The Siddha Bhagwan is free from birth and death; is devoid of the various pains of the four grades of beings, and ever dwells in Kewala (pure, infinite) Darshana (seeing), Jñana (knowledge) and Ananda (bliss or happiness).
334. Those Munis who with pure thoughts meditate upon this Parmâtma Prakasha (a Grantha which shows or describes Parmâtman) and who have conquered Moha Karma (Karma which produces attachment or desire in soul),— such Munis alone understand the Parmâtma Pada (Godhead or divinity).
335. Those Munis who are the Bhaktas (lovers or devotees) of this Parmâtma Prâkasha Grantha, get the Prakash (light or Jñana) which illumines the whole Lokâ-Loka.