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Reals in the faina Metaphysics
there are, who although on the way would often lose sight of it, who would stumble or would turn back to the whirlpools of the world. The way to liberation seems to be so rough and inaccessible because the hold of Karma on the soul is very tight.
PARīŞAHA's
The stages or states through which a fortunate being has got to pass, in order to attain the blissful emancipation are called the fourteen Guņasthānas in the Jaina philosophy. The Gunasthāna's need not be described in detail here. Wonderful, however, is the power of Karma, so much so that it throws numerous obstacles in the way to liberation which are apparently insuperable. A patient, calm and determined "way-farer" has got to put up with these unquestioningly and ungrudgingly. These obstacles are called the Parīşaha's which are twenty-two in number. Liberation or Mokșa is inattainable unless the Parīşaha's are conquered. Kșut (hunger), Pipāsā (thirst), Śīta (cold), Uşņa (heat), Damśa-masaka (bites of gnats), Nāgnya (nakedness), Arati (dislike), Strī (women), Çaryā (walking a long distance), Nişadyā (sitting perfectly unmoved), Sayyā (lying on hard ground), Akrośa (abuse), Badha (assault), Yāçnā (alms), Alābha (not getting what is asked for), Roga (illness), Trņa-sparsa (touch of thorny grass), Mala (dirt), Satkāra-puraskāra (honour and insult), Prajñā (pride of knowledge). Ajñāna (ignorance) and Adarśana (want of faith) are the Parīşaha’s. The "wayfarer” who wants to attain liberation must conquer these Parīşaha's. He must put up with hunger, thirst, cold, heat and bites of gnats etc. He must not be ashamed of remaining in nakedness. He must never be idle and must always avoid the company of women. Long distances he must walk on foot patiently. When in contemplation, he must not move from his seat although serpents, lions or other ferocious beings may be near him. Hard, uncovered ground must be his bed and he must bear without protest abuses, insults and assaults. Although in need, he must not ask for anything.
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