In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Akāmanirjarā (अकामनिर्जरा) refers to “involuntary dissociation” and is one of the causes leading to the influx (āsrana) of karmas leading to birth in the heavens (daiva).

Akāmanirjarā is a Sanskrit technical term defined in the Tattvārthasūtra (ancient authorative Jain scripture) from the 2nd century, which contains aphorisms dealing with philosophy and the nature of reality.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 6: Influx of karmas

1) Akāmanirjarā (अकामनिर्जरा).—What is meant by akāmanirjarā? To tolerate inflictions peacefully and with equanimity under the influence of others even though one is not willing is akāmanirjarā or dissociation with effort. Like sārāgasaṃyama, it is also a cause of pleasant feeling (sātāvedanīya) influx (āsrava).

2) Akāmanirjarā (अकामनिर्जरा).— What is meant by involuntary dissociation with effort (akāmanirjarā)? Dissociation which accrues without the specific objective so doing is involuntary dissociation e.g. enduring thirst, hunger, discipline etc. result in dissociation of karmas also.

Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve Reflections

Akāmanirjarā (अकामनिर्जरा) or simply Akāma refers to “unintentional wearing away karma”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—[According to the explanation in Hindi of verse 2.141]—“Having brought about a series of events through the power of asceticism, to intentionally experience the results of those karmas which have not yet arisen, is called intentional wearing away karma (sakāmanirjarā). This is what happens for mendicants. When karmas are worn away, having yielded their results on being completed, it is known as unintentional wearing away karma (akāmanirjarā). This is what happens for all other living beings. In this regard, since the result of karma is experienced unwillingly, it has been called unintentional wearing away previously accumulated karma. Intentional wearing away karma is also called wearing away that which has not fructified (avipākanirjarā) and wearing away produced by action (karmajānirjarā). Unintentional wearing away karma is also called wearing away that which has fructified (savipākanirjarā) and wearing away produced by inaction (akarmajānirjarā)”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Nirjara, Akama.

Ends with: Sakamanirjara.

Full-text: Daiva, Sakamanirjara, Avipakanirjara, Savipakanirjara.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Akamanirjara, Akāmanirjarā, Akama-nirjara, Akāma-nirjarā; (plurals include: Akamanirjaras, Akāmanirjarās, nirjaras, nirjarās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)

Verse 6.20 - The nature of Life-Karmas (leading to birth as a celestial being) < [Chapter 6 - Influx of Karmas]

Verse 6.12 - The nature of Pleasant-feeling Karmas < [Chapter 6 - Influx of Karmas]

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Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study) (by Deepak bagadia)

Twelve reflections (cintana-anupreksa) < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]

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Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)

Appendix 2.3: new and rare words < [Appendices]

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