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A Brief Exposition of Nava
(Nine) Padas
In Jainism Arhat, Siddha, Acharya, Upadh; āya and Sådbu are collectively spoken of as Panch: Parame shihi. Pancha means 'five' and Parameshihi, a superior being. so Pancha Parameshthi mokos a group of five Superior Beings.
Arbat Tirthankara) is given the first place in Panche Parameshthi, though in several respects he is interior to Siddha; but this is just fiable on the ground that it is he who pro-eminertly guida, us in this Samsāra by showing the right path-by proaching truth. He is the first and foremost illuminator of trutå or the path to the best good.
Siddha is the name applied to a Perfect Being-to one who has attained final Emancipation. He is thas a disembodied perfect soul.
Acharya is one who is the head of the Saints. His chief aim is to promote the welfare of his institution. He holds a third rank as he comes after Arhat and Siddha.
Uhadhyāya comes next in ranks to Acharya. His chief duty it to teach religious scriptures.
The fifth Pada is Sadhu i. e. a saint without any of the above-mentioned degrees or digoilies.
Darshana (right faith or vision ). Jnana ( right knowledge ). Charitra (right conduct ) and Tapa ( spiritual austoritios or penances ) are the attributes of these Pancha Parameshthi. Thus, the five attribute-holders and their four attributes being combined, are oalled Nava Padas ( nine subjects ).
Tapa which is a particular practice, is indeed part of ChariIra. Charitra and Tapa, though they are being separately treated, are not separate are one-in Siddha.
in the case of Arbat and Siddha, the full spiritual parity is expressible by the word Chāritra; and, it is not yet objectionable to apply the word Tapa also to it by particularly enlarging the meaning of the word (Tapa ).
Nyayavijaya
Aho! Shrugyanam
