Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA [Ch. IX distinction between the soul and the non-soul (jivājīva), uncleanliness of body, influx of karma-matters and its stoppage and the dissociation of those karma-matters accumulated and stuck into the soul, matter, substances of the Universe, etc., (6) the conquering of the twenty parişahas (forbearances) and (7) right conduct.1
Nirjarā (Dissociation of Karma-matters)?
It is the change in the soul and the dissociations of karmamatters brought about by the external and internal austerities. As the matters of a piece of dirty cloth get dissolved from all sides, if it is gradually cleansed and washed with pure water, just like that the soul, having been freed from the dust of karmamatters becomes pure and attains the beautitude, perfection and happiness as a result of austerities and meditation.
Gunasthāna (Stage of spiritual development)
The Bhs throws a side light upon the stage of spiritual development (gunasthāna) by making incidental reference to the sixth, seventh and eighth gunasthānas, viz. pramatta-saiyata, apramatta-sanyatas and apūrva-karana," which are conditional upon the elemination of the mohaniya-karmas.
In the stage of pramatta-sarnyata--a complete self-control is attained in spite of the disturbance caused through the spiritual inertia or negligence (pramāda), produced, through the realization of the flaming up passions, of sleep, etc. The duration of the stay in this stage is, in the minimum one samaya with regard to one jīva (soul or being) and in the maximum less than a pūrvakoțī and all times with regard to different jīvas (beings or souls). In the stage of apramatta-samyata a complete self-control without negligence (pramāda) exists lasting only for one antarmuhūrta with regard to one being or soul in the minimum and less than a pūrvakotī in the maximum and all times (sarvaddhā) with regard to different souls or beings (nānājīvas). In the stage of a pūrva-karana
BhS, 2, 1. 92; 9, 33, 384. 8 16, 3, 3, 154.
• Ib, 6, 3, 233. * 16, 9, 31, 367.