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of dharma and truth has white leśyā. But the fully liberated soul has no leśya at all: *12
The Jainas have given an analogical example of six travellers in the forest. They see a tree full of fruits. The man with black leśyā wants to uproot the tree and take the fruits. The man with blue would like to cut the trunk. One with grey would cut the branches. A person with yellow leśyā would take off the twigs. One with pink would pluck the ripe fruits only. And one with white leśyā would be content to pick up the ripe fruits fallen on the ground without causing slightest damage to the tree or the branches.*13.
There are degrees of the expression of leśyā in terms of time. For instance the duration of black leśyā varies from half a muhürta to thirty three's sāgaropamas! So is the variation in different degrees and time span in the cases of other leśyās*14.
5. So far, the analysis of the doctrine of leśyā has given us a synoptic picture of the phenomena of colouration of the individual selves on the basis of their temperament. The distinction into different types of personality is very much relevant for the study of psychological types of personality. It has been suggested that moral significance of this doctrine is important. Leśyās, it is said, have a moral bearing *15. The leśyās have been treated as an index of temperament and character. In this sense it need not be studied from the metaphysical point of view only. Psychological approach would be better suited for understanding the problem of personality distinctions. The psychological study of the personality types as presented in the doctrine of leśyä in Jainism would throw a flood of light on the psychological investigations and scientific acumen of the ancient seers. Researches in the study of personality with reference to genetics has also been done. It is only to be interpreted in the proper scientific perspective.
References :
*1. Allport G.W.: Personality- A psychological Interpretation. (Henry Holt. Ny.) pp 48,
*2 Radhakrishnan. (S): Hindu View of Life. (Unwin Books) 1960. pp 83.
*3. Refer for detailed study to : Studies in Psychology (University of Mysore : P.G. Deptt. of Psychology (1974).
Article by Krisnan B. Typological Conceptions in Ancient Indian Thought.
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