Book Title: Theory of Karman in Indian Thought
Author(s): Koshelya Walli
Publisher: Bharat Manisha

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Page 172
________________ į 160 j pointed out that the worldly life is a result of earlier karmas performed by the souls. The order of worldly life in its downward series consists of the following steps. The Samsāra is described as threefold—1, Tamasika 2. Rājasika and 3. Sättvika (full of inertia, full of activity and full of knowledge ). The Tāmasa section starts from Pasu ( animal ) just below the human species. The next step is Mļga (Deer) and the other steps are Pakşi and then Sarīsspa and Sthāvara ( Birds, moving creatures and inert things ). This order of descent is notable. This is Tāmasa Samsāra. The Sättvika Samsāra begins with Brahman and ends with Pisaca and the place is in different heavens. It is pointed out that in the heaven of Brahmã there is pure Sattva and that in Sthāvara there is pure tamas. In the midst of these, there are fourteen varieties of soul life. The Brahmā has only Sattva and the Sthāvara has only Tamas. The unifying force ( Viştambhaka ) working in the fourteen sphere is rājas,1 In the same book, there is the mention of the circle of worldly life ( HATTF) that is said to be of fourteen kinds.? In chapter eighteen, evil Karma ( 919 ) is said to be of three kinds--vocal, mental and physical.3 The Bhāgavata Purána also speaks of the mundane life of an ordinary soul subject to birth and death and the experiences of pleasure and pain under the influence of karma performed by him in an earlier 'life is thus given. This gives an idea of the worldly life which continues until the cosmic destruction takes place. It is a life of joys and sufferings resulting from actions done in the physical body with organs of actions under the influcence of Vāsanā. In this life, results of earlier karmas are experienced and fresh Karmas are generated. It is stated in the Bhāgavata Purāņat that even the life after death which is lived in a plane produced under the influ.ence of one's karma is transitory.. 1. Vāyu Purāņa, Chapter XIV - 2. Vayu Puruņa, Chapter XV, verse 1. . 3. Vayu Purana, Chapter XV, verse 2. 4, Bhagavata Purāna 11, 3, 20.

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