________________
168
Soul Science : Samayasara by Jain Acarya Kundakunda
always [described as] attributes of matter? [286]
Adhah-Karma and Uddešika are matter. How can these, which are always described as non-living, be my creation? [287] Annotation
These stanzas have two technical words: Adhah-Karma and Uddesika. First, it would be appropriate to discuss their meaning in brief:
Adhaḥ-Karma: It is used in context with food (and sometimes with accommodation). Actions related with the production and preparation of food are known as Adhaḥ-Karma.
Uddeśika: This word is also used in context with food. If the food is cooked for a particular person or persons then it is Uddeśika food for that person or persons.
To avoid any misunderstanding or confusion, before coming to the main theme of the stanzas, it would be appropriate to explain in brief some points related with food as preached by Jain preceptors from the relative point of view. (i) With the spiritual development, the personality of an
enlightened person may advance to such a high level (level of a monk) that he neither participates in Adhaḥ-Karma nor
eats Uddeśika food. (ii) A monk neither is expected to participate in Adhaḥ-Karma
nor is expected to eat Uddeśika food. In other words, a monk neither cooks nor eats the food cooked for him. But, a householder is expected to cook some extra food for the unexpected guests, and should be ready to offer the food to monks who may happen to pass through the area in the vicinity of his/her residence. Both these objectives are practically met by the standard procedure described in the
scriptures. (iii) If the householder has this concept in his/her mind that
he/she is cooking to offer a part of the food to some