Samayasara

Author(s): Kundkundacharya, J L Jaini
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 23

THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS.
conduct-deluding karma, and only one, i.e., mixed-right-and-wrongbelief of the right-belief-deluding karma.
In the fourth stage, only 21 are operative. There is no rightbelief-deluding karma, except in the condition of destructionsubsidential-right-belief, where there is operation of the 3rd kind of right-belief-deluding karma, i.e., when the right-belief is clouded by slight wrong-belief.
In the 5th stage, only 17 are operative. Four more, i.e., the partial-vow-preventing passions become quiescent. From here the soul never goes to the 6th ; but always to the 7th stage.
In the 6th stage, only 13 operate. The 4 total-vow-preventing passions become quiescent. The 6th stage is also a retrogressive one. It is reached by a soul which is going down from the 7th stage. But such a downfallen soul may regain the 7th stage from the 6th. Indeed this can go on for a long, long time.
In the 7th and 8th stages 13 operate. But their operation is mild.
In the 9th stage, 7 operate, 6 slight passions of risibility, indulgence, ennui, sorrow, fear and disgust subside or are destroyed.
In the 10th stage, only the slightest greed remains.
In the 11th stage all the 28 causes of delusion subside. Here the soul can stay at the most for one antar-muhurta. From here the soul must fall down gradually to any of the lower stages up to 7th, so that from the 7th it can go up the destructive ladder to the 8th and higher stages, skipping the 11th or the highest point of the
dential ladder on its way from the 10th to the 12th stage, the highest point of the destructive ladder, where delusion does not subside but is entirely destroyed.
In the 13th, the soul is subject to mundane vibratory activity due to body-making karma.
In the 14th there is no vibration at all. It is perfectly steady.
Thus, it will be seen that all these fourteen spiritual stages are due to wrong belief, vowlessness, carelessness, passions and vibratory activity. Carelessness (Pramáda) in intensity or mildness lasts from the first to the sixth stage of imperfect-vow. Therefore the first six stages are referred to by the word “Pramatta." All the other eight stages are meditative and free from carelessness in pursuing the path of self-realisation and are described by the author as" Apramatta.” The stages are indices of degrees of progressing thought-activities. They are mere steps of a ladder to reach the abode of Liberation. When the top is reached, the ladder