________________
He who has attained samyaktva even for a fraction of a period less than 48 minutes, his stay in transmigration shall be less than an ardhapudgala paraarvartana kaala (the amount of time required for a soul to take in and use up half of the karmic matter available in the universe}.
The Kshapanasara explains the number of lives the soul has to take after it has annihilated all perception-deluding karmas (darshan mohniiya karma).
Kshaayika samyaktva, which is attained when all perception-deluding karmas have been annihilated completely, is never lost. It is permanent. Once all perception-deluding karmas have been annihilated completely, the soul attains liberation in either the same birth, or the third birth that follows. In very rare cases, if the soul has bound the birth of a human or sub human and is born in the time period of bhoga bhuumi (realms of enjoyment), the soul shall attain liberation in the fourth birth. Certainly no later than that.
The Tattvartharajavartika commentary by Aachaarya Akalanka on Aachaarya Umasvati's Tattvaarthasuutra presents a subtle analysis on this topic. It states that he who does not lose his samyaktva after attaining it, is certain to attain liberation within a maximum of 15 births and a minimum of three births.
The Vasunandishraavakaachaara clarifies this further:
"Anne u sudevadattam sumaanusattam punopuno lahiuuna. Sattatthabhavehim tao karanti kammakkhayam niyamaa"
-Vasunandishraavakaachaara, Verse 269 (Author: Aachaarya Vasunandi, Publisher: Bharatiya Gyaanpith Prakashan, Kashi, year 1952)
One whose samyaktva is not lost, are born seven times in excellent celestial beings (deva) and eight times in humans, in total maximum 15 times before they shed all karmas and attain liberation.
All the above citations underline the importance and benefits of attaining samyaktva.
289
