Samayik And Chaityavandan Vidhi

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 10

The attributes of the first two entities are uncountable. Here, however, we will take into consideration their main attributes. There are twelve main attributes of Arihants. Eight of them, as popularly mentioned, are supposed to be caused by the heavenly beings. For instance, wherever the Lords hold their assemblies, the heavenly beings set up the diamond studded throne, raise three canopies, set up the Ashok tree, sprinkle flowers, raise the divine sound, wave the chauries, play the musical drums and set up the bright circle behind the Lords' heads.
The majestic though these attributes may seem, they are of least importance in making out the inner majesty of the Lords. That inner majesty can be better related by the spiritual attributes like infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite character, infinite vigor, perfect purity, bliss, indestructible Samyaktva and freedom from all the defiling Karmas.
In addition to these eight attributes, the Arihants are also imbibed with the following four extraordinary accomplishments, which are known as Atishay. 1) Being fully enlightened and hence having attained the perfect purity of soul, they are capable to know every thing in the entire universe. This is termed as Jnänätishay. 2) They are worshipped by all the beings inclusive of the heavenly beings. This is termed as Poojätishay. 3) They are capable to utter the convincing words, which penetrate the hearts of listeners. This is termed as Vachanätishay. 4) The famine, epidemics etc. and the sense of vengeance, gross violence etc. disappear, wherever they move. This is termed as Apäyägamätishay.
The skeptics may tend to think that the fourth attribute may merely be a fancy of the devotees. But actually, there is no reason to doubt about its feasibility. We have earlier mentioned about the electro-dynamic field. The perfect purity of soul creates a field that can change everything, inclusive of the mental attitude of the beings, who come under the influence of the perfect purity. Every one might have experienced the changes occurring in the mind, when they happen to be in the midst of the noble or of the wicked people. The nature of aura makes a world of difference.
Siddhas are unembodied. As such the question of accomplishment or of any tangible display does not arise in their case. They are embedded with the following eight attributes. a) they are infinitely enlightened; b) they have infinite perception; c) they experience infinite and unobstructed bliss; d) they are imbibed with infinite vigor, e) they are formless and shapeless, f & g) their state is innate and indestructible, and h) that state is not subject to any change or alteration. This last attribute is known as Agurulaghu.
Now let us consider the attributes of the remaining three entities. The Acharyas are imbibed with the following thirty six attributes. They restrain the five sense organs; they observe nine stipulations of celibacy; they are free from four defilements, known as Kashäy; they observe five major restraints and five fold spiritual code; they observe five meticulosities pertaining to movement, utterance, acceptance of required articles, placing or replacing any thing and disposal; and they observe three Gupties, which means that they restrain their physical, vocal and mental faculties. These attributes are explained at length in the Panchindiya Sutra, which follows.