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SVASTI - Essays in Honour of Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah
the way to ultimate release, as the destroyer of the mountains of karma and as the knower of the elements of universe. According to Acarya Haribhadra, an Arhat deserves respect and is honoured because he is the one whose Asravas, or defiling influxes, have been destroyed, one whose affliction, karmas and birth have been eradicated. He deserves salutation because of excellence in good qualities. Arihantas are free from ignorance, false belief, attachment, hatred, vowlessness, lust, fun, sorrow, delight. Hemacandra salutes the Arihanta by saying that he is a saviour who has constructed out of mercy the bridge to righteousness. According to Haribhadra, Arhatship includes perfection in yoga i.e. unity of true knowledge, faith and conduct. This kind of yoga results in union with ultimate release. Arihantas are devoid of passions that defile the soul. The Arihantas who are Jinas have in their lives personally lived the religion and showed the world the path of attainment of liberation.
12 Virtues of Arihanta: 4 main Atishayas (there are many of which 4 are important ones)
1. jnanatishaya- specialty relating to supreme knowledge.
2. Vacanatishaya- Arihantas deliver speeches/ sermons having 35 lofty ideal virtues such as specialties relating to speech (e.g. his speech is soft, clear etc.).
3. Pujatishaya- specialty relating to worship-worthiness. Even Indras bow down to him.
4. Apayagam- That which dispels 18 derogations e.g. sleep, ignorance, attachment, hatred etc.
8 Pratiharyas.
1. Asoka Vrksa - 2. Puspa Vrsti - 3. Divya Dhvani - 4. Camar - 5..
Sublime Seat - 6. Halo - 7. Divine Trumpet - 8. Chhatra. These Pratiharyas are created naturally wherever a Jina goes.
Functions of Arihanta (who is Tirhtankara): 1. The Arihanta expounds and establishes Dharma Sasana tirtha. 2. The Arihanta preaches to the world what is Truth. 3. The Arihanta shows to people the way to Salvation/ Moksa.
4. He establishes the fourfold sangha. He ultimately becomes Siddha at the time of his Nirvana because at that time, he destroys the four remaining Aghati Karmas (Ayusya, Nama, Gotra, Vedaniya).
The fact that the first salutation goes not to the perfected siddhas but rather to the Jinas-arhats is significant.
B) Siddhas (The Accomplished ones) They are the second group of the Panca Parameshthis. Siddha means one who has accomplished everything. He has been completely liberated from 8 Karmas, from the
