Karma Theory in Jainism: Origin, History, Texts and other descriptions Part 2

*

Continued from Part 1

As I have mentioned earlier there are six parts in Karma Grantha by Acharya Devendra Suri. Names of those six are as follows:

1. Karma Vipaka

2. Karmastava

3. Vandha Swamitva

4. Shadashiti

5. Shataka

6. Saptati

The first Karma Grantha "Karma Vipaka" deals with four types of Vandha that means bondage of karmik particles with the soul.

These four are:

1. Prakriti

2. Pradesh

3. Sthiti

4. Anubhaga or Rasa

Prakriti means nature. When a mundane soul involves in any actions, it attracts Karma Vargana (Karmik particles) from the nature and  create a bond with that. This bonded particles further divide into eight types of Karma according to the nature of actions. These eight types are:

1. Jnyanavaraniya (Gyanavaraniya)

2. Darshanavaraniya

3. Mohaniya

4. Antaraya

5. Nama

6. Gotra

7. Vedaniya

8. Ayushya

First four of these are Ghati Karma and the next four are Aghati Karma. Ghati Karma restricts a soul to obtain Kevala Jnyana (omniviscence) and Aghati from Moksha (salvation).

1. Jnyanavaraniya (Gyanavaraniya) Karma: A soul is full of wisdom and knowledge. However, Jnyanavaraniya Karma puts a cover over it and restricts a soul to obtain knowledge and wisdom. Jnyana means knowledge and Avaran Menas cover. Hence Jnyanavaraniya means which covers or restricts to aqquire knowledge. There are five types of Jnyana or knowledge

1. Mati Jnyana (28)

2. Shruta Jnyana (14)

3. Avadhi Jnyana (6)

4. Manah Paryava Jnyana (2)

5. Kevala Jnyana (1)

Jnyanavaraniya (Gyanavaraniya) Karma is also divided into five types according to their capabilities of covering each Jnyana such as Mati Jnyanavaraniya, Shruta Jnyanavaraniya and so on. These five further have sub-divisions as mentioned in the bracket above.

Karma Theory Part 1
Karma Theory Part 2
Karma Theory Part 3
Karma Theory part 4
Karma Theory part 5

Thanks, 
Jyoti Kothari

Jyoti Kothari is an author and hubber who writes about Gems and Jewelry, India, Economy, Finance, Management, Skills, Job, Employment, Food, Environment, Jainism and on many other topics.
He is proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur, representing centuries old tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry.

Karma Theory in Jainism: Origin, History, Texts and other descriptions Part 1

Most of the Indian philosophies believe in Karma theory. Vedic, Buddhist and Jain, all have a faith on Karma and Karmafal. However, they differ in many points.

Jainism has the most subtle description of Karma. Ninth of the fourteen "Purva" is dedicated to Karma theory and named as "Karma Pravaad Purva". This is part of "Drishtivaada", the biggest, greatest, most complicated part of teachings of Lord Mahavira.

We can not find Drishtivaada as people can not retain it in their memory some centuries after the Lord. Probably, Acharya Aryarakshita Suri was the last to retain Karma Pravaad Purva with him.

Karma theory is described in many places in ancient Jain texts, Aagama.  Bhagwati Sutra, the fifth Anga Sutra describes a lot about Karma. We get references in many other anga such as Sthananga and Samavaayaanga Sutra, Uttaraadhyayana Sutra etc. A separate Anga Vipaka Sutra is dedicated to Karma Vipaka that means fruits of Karma.

Tons of texts are written about Karma theory later on such as "Kamma Payadi" in Shwetambara and "Gommatsara" in Digambar school.

However, the most popular is "Karma Grantha" by Acharya Devendra Suri, It is so popular that almost every reader of Jainism reads it. This is didided into six parts. The last part describes that this text is a drop from the ocean of Drishtivada.

Karmagrantha falls into the category of "Ganitaanuyoga" alias Karanaanuyoga among four divisions of Jain texts. Rest of three Anuyoga are Kathaanuyoga alias Prathamaanuyoga, Charanaanuyoga and Dravyaanuyoga.
Ganita  / Karana means mathematics in Sanskrit language. Hence, tons of mathematical calculations are there in Karma Grantha to describe specific theories of Vandha, Udaya, Udirnaa, Satta, Sankraman, Upashamana, Apavartanaa, Udvartanaa, Nidhatta and Nikaachana.

Karma Grantha also deals with five causes of Karma Vandh, Avadhaa Kaala, eight types of Karma Prakriti and sub types and many other topics.. It also deals with fourteen Gunasthana, stages of spiritual development of a soul.

To be continued......
Karma Theory Part 1
Karma Theory Part 2
Karma Theory Part 3
Karma Theory part 4
Karma Theory part 5

Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari