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206: Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism
the mundane existence of the soul is not possible without such coordination among the karma forces. So we see that there is coordination among the various karmas if it is essential to the consequent process.
The Life-History of Karmas or the States of Karmas
The history of a karma begins from the very moment it is bound with the soul. If a karma is considered in its subjective aspect, this history will be found almost the same as the life-history of an instinct or a disposition. The union of a karma with the soul marks the first state in the life-history of a karma. This state is known as the bandha (state of bondage). No karma is able to effect the faculties of the soul immediately after the state of bandha. It requires a period to become mature. This period is technically known as the ābādhā or the period of maturity. Nemicandra says: "The period for which the material molecules, that have come to the soul in the form of karmas do not gain the capacity of effecting the soul, is called the ābādhā." This period is necessary in case of every karma because a new karma is to be assimilated in the existing structure of the self. Unless it is so assimilated it cannot be said to be a part in the soul's structure, though it is bound with it. Just as an instinct must become ripened before it actually influences the behaviour, so also the karma stands in need of getting mature before it can bring about its fruition. The Jaina philosophy gives three main states of karmas. First of all a karma is bound with the soul, then there must be the period of preparation of realization, and then will follow the state of operation. The first is the state of bandha (bondage), as we have already mentioned; and the other two are known as the satta (endurance) and udaya (operation), We come across a similar division of karmas into āgāmī, prārabdha and sancita in some of the systems of Indian Philosophy. The prārabdha karmas mean those that are operating and the sañcita karmas
1. Nemicandra: Gommaṭasāra (Karmakāṇḍa), verse 4
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