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Mechanics of Change
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hindered even by good deeds, binding the soul in golden chains of pleasure and comforts.
However, it must not be mistaken that Jainism equates good deeds with bad ones. It does recognise that good deeds are conducive to social order and these deeds also enable the self. put in pleasant and comfortable situation, to progress further. Hence, good deeds resulting in 'Punya' are always more desirable than bad deeds resulting in Pápa. But when Jainas point out that even good deeds result in bondage, their emphasis is on the metaphysical aspect of the good deeds. Therefore it is necessary to know the real character of the karmic forces generated by good deeds purely from philosophical point of views keeping aside social point of view. Punya karmas result in giving the self many worldly pleasures and comforts but not the bliss of salvation. The salvation is not possible if element of attachment ( Moha ) is left in them. And it is remarkable that most of the so called good deeds, performed for 'social good', are the outcome of some or other type of attachment. Therefore, every aspirant for spiritual perfection is expected to do all his deeds-apparently good or bad--without attachment and should behave like a 'Stnitaprajña' of Gitá. 'Sthita' means "Steady' and 'Prajña' means understanding. Thus, 'Sthitaprajña', a person with steady mind and understanding, acts without motives, in a natural way, just as the sun shines and gives light. To shine and to give light is natural and motiveless for the sun. The sun-light is helpful for good as well as bad actions, but the sun is not, in the least, concerned with that. Such unconcerned, motiveless and natural actions in life do not bind the self even if they result in good or bad ends. Āsrava (Influx )
It means influx of karmic matter into the self, resulting from good or bad actions. The root of the word Asrava is "Sru' meaning 'to ooze, or to tricle'. When karmic forces flow to the self, it is called the process of Asrava - influx. When the self activates in Sarvsara and indulges in deeds, good or bad,
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