________________
Kokila H. Shah, Jain Devotionalism: The Namaskara Mantra
273
cycle of Birth and Death. Siddhas are beyond the world/ Samsara. They symbolize the supreme ideal of holiness and beatitude called Moksa. In the Jaina canon, Siddhas are indescribable. They are in disembodied state i.e. they have no body. They are without any shape, size, colour, smell and taste. They have accomplished everything and have nothing left to be realized. So Siddhas are Pure/ Perfect Souls. Jainism says that Siddhas are infinite. Their abode is at the top of the universe (Loka) in the Siddha Ksetra and they remain there forever. They are in Nirvana - in super bliss release and awakened, liberated from all sufferings, having burnt the impurities of Karma. Such souls are super souls or siddha Parmatmas (liberated Super souls) as they theoretically possess the highest state of pure existence. Because of the destruction of all 8 Karmas, they possess 8 very important qualities as follows:
1. Ananta jnana- infinite knowledge (Destruction of jnanavaraniya Karma)
2. Ananta Darshana- Sublime Vision (Destruction of Darshanavaraniya Karma) 3. Ananta Sukha- Infinite bliss (Destruction of Vedaniya Karma)
4. Ananta Virya- Boundless Power (Destruction of Nama Karma)
5. Suksmatva or Amurtaka- Fonlessness (Destruction of gotra Karma)
6. Aguru Laghutva- Neither Heavy, not light (Destruction of Nama Karma)
7. Avyabadhatva- Imperishability i.e. no birth and rebirth cycle (Destruction of Ayusya Karma)
8. Avagahanatva- Boundless felicity (Destruction of Mohaniya Karma)
Every Siddha was once an ordinary human; hence, by meditating upon Siddhas, the Jaina aspirant is encouraged to pursue the path of purification.
C) Acaryas (The Leaders of Jaina Order):
They are the third group of Panca Parameshthis. They are spiritual leaders of the Jaina order. The master par excellence who guides the faithful in the practice of Jaina doctrine is called Acarya. Acarya is defined as the one who practices five Acaras- the five kinds of conduct and advises his disciples to do the same. These five kinds of practices are:
1. Jnanacara- observance relating to knowledge i.e. turning oneself to the attainment of knowledge regarding natural qualities of soul.
2. Darshanacara- observance relating to faith, i.e. turning oneself to the faith that the soul is nothing but consciousness, is separate from body and everything else etc.
3. Caritracara- observance relating to character, i.e. making the soul tranquil after freeing it from all kinds of disturbances arising from passions, attachments etc. so that it may enjoy bliss.
4. Tapacara observance relating to penance, i.e. practice of various kinds of penance by which one can control oneself and attain the true nature of the soul.
