Primer of Jain Principles

Author(s): Kirit Gosalia
Publisher: Kirit Gosalia

Page 15

19. What is the bondage (Bandha)?
The bondage is a characteristic by virtue of which the union of many things can be come known as one thing.
20. How many different types of material cluster (Skandha) are there?
Material clusters may be identified as matter endowed with associability (Ahar Vargana), luminous bodies (Tejas Vargana), clusters of speech materials (Bhasha Vargana), clusters of mind materials (Mano Vargana), or clusters of karmic material (Karman Vargana). Gommatsar scripture, Jivkanda section, and stanza 594-601 it further devide them in to twenty-two sub-divisions.
21. What are the matters endowed with associability (Ahar Vargana)?
Gross bodies (Audarik Sharir), protean bodies (Vaikriya Sharir), and conveyance bodies (Aharak Sharir) are three parts of matter endowed with associability. Matter endowed with associability occurs when infinitely infinite (Anantanant) atoms exist. Then and only then can that material cluster can be attracted, assimilated, or transformed by thought karma of the living being. (Bhav Karma).
22. Explain the gross bodies (Audarik Sharir)?
Bodies of all humans (Manushya) and sub-humans (Tiryanch) are called gross bodies.
23. What are the protean bodies (Vaikriya Sharir)?
The bodies of celestial (Dev) and infernal (Narki) are called protean bodies. These bodies have special characteristics such as the ability to take different shapes, the ability to be cut in to pieces or again immediately to become as one body.
24. Can you explain the conveyance body (Aharak Sharir)?
Enlightened ascetics (One who has achieved the sixth stage of spiritual development) may have this type of body. If so, he has acquired special powers to create an unique subtle body called conveyance body. The enlightened ascetic uses this type of body for visiting the omniscient lord (Kevali Bhagwan) in far off places for the purpose of clarifying doubts about intricate facets of truth. The subtle body is the size of a hand, comes out of the head and it stretches out so as to be in communication with the omniscient lord from whom the information sought for is secured.