Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study)
by Deepak bagadia | 2016 | 109,819 words
This page relates ‘Nine Elements (8): Nirjara (exhaustion of the accumulated karma)’ of the study dealing with the Spiritual Practices of Jainism and Patanjali Yoga in the context of ancient Indian Philosophy (in Sanskrit: Darshana), including extracts from the Yogasutra and the Tattvartha-Sutra. The system of Yoga offers techniques which are scientifically designed for the spiritual development of an individual. Jainism offers ethicical principles and meditation practices to assist with spiritual development.
Part 3.4 - Nine Elements (8): Nirjara (exhaustion of the accumulated karma)
[Full title: Doctrines of Jainism (4): The Nine Elements (nava-tattvas) (8): Nirjara (exhaustion of the accumulated karma)]
Nirjara is partial eradication of acquired karmas. Previously acquired karma that becomes operative, get exhausted as they mature. When karmas after giving the end results get exhausted on their own and no active effort was made to eradicate them, it is called akam Nirjara, which happens automatically. Efforts in the form of twelve types of penance or austerity can eradicate accumulated karmas which are bonded with the soul in the dormant form currently, before they become operative. This process of eradication by deliberate effort is sakam Nirjara or avipaka Nirjara. Twenty two hardships[1] (parisahas) mentioned above for Samvara could actually be included in sakam nirjara.
This eradication or shedding or destruction process has two stages. The state of omniscience or Kevaljnan is attained when one totally overcomes delusion and also when all defiling (Ghati) karmas are destroyed. After attaining Kevaljnan, one may continue to live as he has to destroy other Aghati karmas like Ayu, Nam, Gotra and Vedaniya karma. These karmas get destroyed only upon death. Lord Mahavira lived for thirty years after attaining Kevaljnan. The soul is like a mirror which looks dim when the dust of karma is deposited on its surface. When karma is removed by destruction, the soul shines in its pure and transcendent form. It then attains the goal of moksa.
Nirjara can also be classified as of two types: the psychic aspect of the removal of karma (bhava-nirjara) and destruction of the particles of karma (dravya-nirjara). Acarya Umasvati wrote in “Tatvarthasutra” that Nirjara can be achieved by Tapa or austerities.[2] Jain Agamas have prescribed six types of internal and six types of external austerities or Tapa. Fasting is just one of the external austerities. Austerities not only prevent influx of karma (Samvara), but eradicate accumulated karma (Nirjara) too. Tapa was given prime importance by Lord Mahavira also which is described in Acaramg sutra[3]
Three stanzas from “Pamcacar sutra” state as follows:[4]
When these twelve types of tapa are observed, without getting perturbed or any other consideration, it becomes code of austerity called as Tapachar. These are the principle ways of Nirjara.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Acharya Umaswati, Tattvarthasutra, JAINA and Shrut Ratnakar, Ahmedabad, 2007
mārgācyavananirjarārthapariṣoḍhavyāḥ parīṣahāḥ | Tattvartha-sutra 9.8
[3]:
“Acaramga sutra”, 6/47, 66, 107, 108
[4]:
“Jain Philosophy and Practice” JAINA Education Committee, North America, 2002, p.91