Perspectives in Jaina Philosophy and Culture

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

Page 66

Thus we may say that the Parmatman is the true goal of the mystic quest The journey from the Antaratman to the Paramatman is traversed through the medium of moral and intellectual preparations, which purge everything obstructing the emergence of potential divinity Before this final accomplishment a stage of vision and fall may intervene Thus the whole mystic way may be put as follows (1) Spiritual awakening, (2) Purgation, (3) Illumination, (4) Dark-night of the soul and (5) Transcendental life Dark period of the self prior to spiritual awakening
In this stage the empirical souls remain in a perpetual state of spiritual ignorance owing to the beginningless functions of Mohaniya (deluding) Karma This Karma on the psychical side engenders a complex state of 'Moha' having perverted belief (Mithyadarsana) and perverted conduct (Mithyacaritra) as its ingredients Here the effect of Mithyadarsana is so dominant that self does not evince its inclination to the spiritual path, just as the man invaded by bile-infected fever does not have liking for sweet juice This Mithyadarsana vitiates knowledge and conduct alike in its presence both knowledge and conduct, however extensive and suffused with morality they may be, are impotent to disintegrate the hostile elements of the soul and to lead us to those superb heights which are called mystical Consequently the darkest period in the history of the self is the one when the self is overwhelmed by Mithyadarsana It obstructs all our mystical endeavours Thus the plight of the self in this stage resembles that of a totally eclipsed moon or a completely clouded sky It is a state of spiritual slumber with the peculiarity that the self itself is not cognizant of its drowsy state Led astray by the perverted attitude, the soul staying in this stage identifies itself with bodily colour, physical frame, sex, caste, creed, family, friends and wealth The consequence is that it is constantly obsessed with the fear of self-annihilation on the annihilation of the body and the like and is tormented even by the thought of death Kundakunda and following him, Yogindu, Pujyapada, Subhcandra, Karttıkeya etc recognise this stage as the state of Bahıratman 1 Spiritual awakening
Spiritual awakening is the result of Granthibheda (cutting the knot of ignorance) By virtue of cutting the knot, the Bhinpagranthi sees supreme variety and acquires unswerving conviction in the true self This occurrence of Samyagdarsana (spiritual awakening) is consequent upon the instruction of those who have realised the divine within themselves or are on the path of divine realisation Yogindu points out that insight is attained by the Atman, when at an opportune time, delusion is destroyed
It will not be idle to point out here that the soul in this stage is called Samyagdristi, Antaratman, Bhinnagranthi, and the occupant of Sthiradristi, Antaratman, Bhinnagranthi, and the occupant of Sthiradrsti Being spiritually converted,
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