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186
INFLUX OF KARMAS OF LOW STATUS
virtues of the vows and the minor vows. Hence any obstacles that threaten him are removed. This is removal of obstacles. When suffering is imminent to the virtuous ascetics, it is warded off by proper methods. Devotion is the worship of the omniscient lords, the chief preceptors, the preceptors, and the scriptures. Practice is performance of the six essential duties at proper times. The propagation of the teachings of Jina is by means of knowledge, austerities, the worship of Jina and so cu. Love and affection for one's brethren is similar to the tender love of the cow for her calf. These sixteen observances severally as well as together are the causes for the influx of the name-karma which leads to incarnation as a Tirthamkara.
After describing the influx of physique-making karmas, the influx of status-determining karmas has to be explained. The influx of low status-determining karmas is dealt with first.
परात्मनिन्दाप्रशंसे सदसदगुणोच्छादनोद्भावने च नीचैर्गोत्रस्य ॥ २५ ॥ Parātmanindāprasaṁse sadasadguņocchādanodbhāvane ca nicairgotrasya
(25) 25. Censuring others and praising oneself, concealing good qualities present in others and proclaiming noble qualities absent in oneself, cause the influx of karmas which lead to low status.
The intention to proclaim the defects in others whether true or not is censure. Proclaiming virtues is praise. These are taken respectively, that is censure of others and praise of oneself. The non-manifestation of a thing when there is obstruction is concealment. The manifestation of a thing in the absence of obstruction is proclaiming it. These two are taken respectively, that is concealing existent qualities in others and proclaiming non-existent qualities in oneself1. These lead to the influx of karmas which determine low status.
What is the cause of influx of high-status-determining karmas ?
1 This is also interpreted in other works as concealing good qualities present in others and proclaiming noble qualities absent in oneself.
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