www.jainworld.com
|
First
Steps To Jainism
(Part-2) |
SANCHETI ASOO LAL
BHANDARI MANAK MAL
|
The Five Bodies
Due to the Karma connection the soul, interlalia, acquires or
is clothed in bodies through which it carries on its activities,
discharging old karma (and generally acquiring more in the
process). In the chapter on Karma, while discussing Naam or
Physique Determining Karma, one subdivision has been noted called
Bodies or Sharir Naam Karma. These Karmas are of five types and
result in the soul acquiring five types of Bodies viz. (1)
Audarik (Physical), (2) The Vaikriya (Transformation), (3) the
Aharaka (Translocation), (4) the Taijasa (Fiery) and (5) the
Karmana (Karmic). Some light is thrown on these in the discussion
that follows as these are important and relevant in Jain
Metaphysics as well as in the day to day experience. It may be
reiterated in advance that the Bodies are found with only
unliberated or worldly souls, the liberated or mukta souls are
free from bodies of any type and are also known as
"Ashariri" or Bodiless.
The five types of Bodies are described below in brief -
- The Gross Physical Body or
Audarik Sharir -
As the name indicates this is the type of Body which is
gross or solid and which can be felt by the senses, such
as eyes, which can see it. This is the body belonging to
human beings (Manushya Gati) as well as animals and
plants (Trinyanch Gati) Amongst all the five types of
Bodies this has the least number of Pudgals, but it
occupies the maximum space as the distribution of the
Pudgals is the least subtle. Therefore, it is considered
Gross or solid and is capable of being broken or burnt.
- The subtle Transformation Body
or Vaikriya Sharir -
This type of body is the fine invisible body occupied
by Godly beings (Dev Gati) and the Denizens of Hell
(Narak Gati). The occupants of such Bodies can make them
invisible and also transform their shapes at will and the
bodies are, therefore, also called Transformation Bodies
as Vaikriya means transformation. Such bodies occupy less
space than the Physical Bodies, though the number of
pudgals forming such subtle bodies are innumerable times
more than those of the Physical Bodies. The reason is the
fineness or suksham nature of such Pudgals. Human beings
can also attain such bodies through Labdhies or
Purification. Such Bodies can travel in a limited part of
the Universe (Loka) knowing no impediments.
- The Translocation body or Aharak
Sharir -
This is a special type of Body created by developed
souls (Labdhi Dhari) for a short time (less than 48
minutes) for travelling to other galaxies (Dwipa) to pay
respects to or consult the Teerthankars there, to clear
doubts. This body is described as white in colour, one
hand length in size, handsome, and capable of travelling
millions of miles in one samaya crossing all impediments
in a limited part of Universe-Loka. It arises out of the
head of the creator and is reabsorbed by the physical
body after performing its duties. This translocation body
is finer than Vaikriya or Transformation Body but
possesses pudgals which are innumerable times more than
the latter.
- The Fiery Body or Taijas Sharir
-
This type of body is formed by fire pudgals
and provides external glow and internal digestive power.
It can also be used by the powerful beings to destroy the
opponents, when angry when its colour is red. Similarly
if they are kind, the ascetics can use it to end
pestilence etc., for amelioration of the sufferings of
general public, its colour being white. This body
contains pudgals which are infinite times (Anant Guna)
more than the aharak or translocation body even then it
is finer. This type of body can pass through all types of
impediments throughout the Universe or Loka and is
present in every worldly being. At the same time it is
imperceptible to the senses e.g. the eyes can not see it.
- The Karma Body or Karman Sharir
-
It has been noted earlier (Chapter on Karma)
that due to activity (Yoga) and passions (Kashaya ) the
soul attracts matter or Karma Pudgals which bind it by
becoming the Karma Body, or Karman Sharir, the fifth type
of body. This is the finest body occupying the least
space, yet containing infinite times more pudgals than
the Fiery Body or Taijas Sharir. This can also pass
through all impediments throughout the Universe and is a
constant companion of the worldly being. It is the root
cause of the worldly existence in all its forms and
aspects including the other types of Bodies. The Karma
Body is constantly renewing itself as old karma matter is
shed after giving results and further new Karma matter is
acquired till liberation or Mukti, when all Karma are
exhausted as also all types of bodies and bodily
existence. It is also imperceptible to the senses, and
accompanies the soul, on death, to the place of new
birth, where it (Karma body) forms the basis of the other
new bodies that the soul (jeeva) may acquire.
Some futher general observations
The association of soul with bodies imply its bondage by Karma
and fettering of its unlimited powers and is therefore to be got
rid of. From the essential point of view the continuous
beginnigless change of bodies through births and deaths involves
circulation in the world and is, therefore, a curse-an evil.
However the bodily existence is also a means of destroying the
Karma and can, therefore, be a blessing as a vehicle of
attainments of liberation or Mukti. Thus the true followers of
the path of liberation put the evil body to good use by involving
it in shubh Karma-good deeds-as also in Penance-Tapa. This is the
real concept of bodies and bodily existence from truly
Anekantvadi or non-onesided point of view.
All these five types of Bodies are material or Pudgalik i.e.,
made of Pudgals or pudgal-skandh. However, each subsequent
category of Bodies contain much larger number of Pudgals than its
predecessor (type of body) in the order stated in para The five types of Bodies are described below in
brief -above. Inspite of this the subsequent type of body is
finer than the earlier and occupies less space. Thus the
Transformation body (Vaikriy Sharir) contains a much larger
quantum of Pudgal than the Physical or Audarik Body and is also
finer. This will be clear from the example of cotton and steel,
where the latter may contain greater amount of Pudgal but
occupies less space.
A worldly soul or beings is always connected with the two
types of Bodies viz., Karman, and Taijas Bodies for the obvious
reason that without these the worldly existence is not possible.
As such this association is beginningless (anadi) but it ends
with the liberation of the soul. In addition it may have the
Vaikriya or Transformation Body as in the case of angels, or
Audarik or Physical Bodies as in the case of human beings. In
such cases these bodies go together. Some human being with
requisite powers may acquire either the Vaikriya (Transformation)
body or the Aharak or Translocation Body which will mean four
types of bodies with one soul. However, since Aharak or Vaikriya
bodies cannot be acquired together, the maximum number of Bodies
connected with one worldly being is four.