Gunasthanas

Pravin K. ShahPravin K. ShahJain Study Center of North CarolinaJain Study Center of North Carolina401 Farmstead Drive, Cary NC 27511-5631401 Farmstead Drive, Cary NC 27511-5631E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]: www.jainism.orgWebsite: www.jainism.org

GunasthanasGunasthanasStages of Spiritual DevelopmentStages of Spiritual Development

There are 14 stages of spiritual development There are 14 stages of spiritual development They are arranged in a logical order, according to the They are arranged in a logical order, according to the principle of decreasing sinfulness and the increasing purityprinciple of decreasing sinfulness and the increasing puritySoul travels from complete dependence upon the Karma Soul travels from complete dependence upon the Karma state to the state of complete detachment from it state to the state of complete detachment from it The order of Gunasthanas is logical and not chronologicalThe order of Gunasthanas is logical and not chronologicalSoul removes its Ignorance (Mithyatva) on 4th stage, Soul removes its Ignorance (Mithyatva) on 4th stage, Voelessness (Avirati) on 6th stage, Passions (Kashaya) on Voelessness (Avirati) on 6th stage, Passions (Kashaya) on 12th stage, and Yoga (activities of body, mind and speech) 12th stage, and Yoga (activities of body, mind and speech) on 14th stage and attains liberation.on 14th stage and attains liberation.

Stages of Spiritual DevelopmentStages of Spiritual DevelopmentGunasthanasGunasthanas


1.1. Mithyatva (False vision or faith)Mithyatva (False vision or faith)Delusion or Gross ignorance stateDelusion or Gross ignorance stateThis state is possessed by all souls from the beginning of timeThis state is possessed by all souls from the beginning of timeSoul migrates to fourth stage after acquiring right faithSoul migrates to fourth stage after acquiring right faith

2.2. Sasadana (Stage of having tasted true belief)Sasadana (Stage of having tasted true belief)One has a taste of true belief One has a taste of true belief This states exists only while actually falling down from the This states exists only while actually falling down from the fourth to the first stagefourth to the first stageDuration less than 48 minutesDuration less than 48 minutes

3.3. Misra (Mixed Stage)Misra (Mixed Stage)Mixed or partially rational belief. Mixed or partially rational belief. Also the condition of mind while actually falling down from the Also the condition of mind while actually falling down from the fourth to the first stagefourth to the first stageAfter the first fall, condition of mind going up from first to the After the first fall, condition of mind going up from first to the fourth stagefourth stageDuration less than 48 minutesDuration less than 48 minutes


4.4. Avirata_samyagadristi (Vowless Right Vision) Avirata_samyagadristi (Vowless Right Vision) Right Faith but lack of self control or conductRight Faith but lack of self control or conductSoul migrates here from first stage Soul migrates here from first stage Preparatory stage for ascetic lifePreparatory stage for ascetic lifeIt is a gateway to liberationIt is a gateway to liberationDownfall occurs if Mithyatva was suppressedDownfall occurs if Mithyatva was suppressed

5.5. Desavirata_samyagadristi (Partial Renunciation)Desavirata_samyagadristi (Partial Renunciation)Practicing partial vows of Right ConductPracticing partial vows of Right ConductConquered over intense passions (Apratyakhan_kashay) Conquered over intense passions (Apratyakhan_kashay) Highest stage for laypeopleHighest stage for laypeople


6.6. Pramatta_virata Pramatta_virata (Full Renunciation with some laziness)(Full Renunciation with some laziness)First stage of ascetic life (homelessness)First stage of ascetic life (homelessness)Observes five great vows though tinged with laziness Observes five great vows though tinged with laziness (pramada)(pramada)The formation of the aharaka ShariraThe formation of the aharaka Sharira

7.7. Apramatta_virata (Renunciation with full awareness)Apramatta_virata (Renunciation with full awareness)Observes vows without negligence (pramada)Observes vows without negligence (pramada)Passions are reduced to minimum in intensity, quality, Passions are reduced to minimum in intensity, quality, number and formnumber and formPartial realization of natural joy or bliss (svabhavik ananda) Partial realization of natural joy or bliss (svabhavik ananda)

8.8. Apurva_karana or Nivratti_badara_samparaya Apurva_karana or Nivratti_badara_samparaya (Meditative state)(Meditative state)

Pureness of soul increasing Pureness of soul increasing Remains in meditative stateRemains in meditative statePassions are still presentPassions are still present

9.9. Anivritti_karana or Anivratti_badara_samparaya Anivritti_karana or Anivratti_badara_samparaya (Advance meditative state)(Advance meditative state)

More advanced thought-activity or meditation. More advanced thought-activity or meditation.

10.10. Sukshma_samparaya (Almost passionless state)Sukshma_samparaya (Almost passionless state)Only very slight greed left to be controlledOnly very slight greed left to be controlled


11.11.Upasanta_moha (Quiescence passionless state)Upasanta_moha (Quiescence passionless state)Quiescence of the remaining traces of greedQuiescence of the remaining traces of greedFallback occurs due to suppression of passionsFallback occurs due to suppression of passions

12.12.Kshina_moha (Complete passionless state)Kshina_moha (Complete passionless state)Desirelessness StateDesirelessness StateComplete eradication of greed Complete eradication of greed Omniscience is not possessesOmniscience is not possessesNo fallback can occur (removal of passions)No fallback can occur (removal of passions)


13.13. Sayogy_kevalin (Active Omniscience State)Sayogy_kevalin (Active Omniscience State)Omniscience state (elimination of four Ghati karma)Omniscience state (elimination of four Ghati karma)Perfection of Right Vision, Knowledge, and Conduct Perfection of Right Vision, Knowledge, and Conduct Liberation in the embodied state Liberation in the embodied state Activity of Body, Mind and Speech exist (Yoga) Activity of Body, Mind and Speech exist (Yoga) Tirthankara establishes religious order Tirthankara establishes religious order

14.14. Ayogy_kevalin (Passive Omniscience State)Ayogy_kevalin (Passive Omniscience State)Cessation of the activity of the three yogasCessation of the activity of the three yogasDuration is very short (few seconds)Duration is very short (few seconds)Next step is NirvanaNext step is Nirvana


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Gunasthanas