Book I / II – (iii)
Jainism
There are two ways of Vidya:
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Agh Drishta or Apara Vidya, for the layman who wants physical happiness.
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Yog Drishta or Para Vidya, which deals with that which is above the senses.
Jainism divides Yoga, the science of knowing yourself and attaining perfection, into eight stages as follows:
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Mitra – Visionis very dim. It can be compared to light of grass particles which is momentary and extremely dim. The yogi in this stage adopts vows of non-violence, truth, celibacy, etc. To him all living beings are friends. He bears ill will to none. He finds great happiness in good thoughts and good deeds; but it is not possible in this stage to go much higher.
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Tara – Vision here is also dim, compared to the light of cowdung cake, although vision is a little better, but it is momentary and dim. One adopts short-term rules for purification. He becomes purer in his relations with outside world also. He busies himself in reading of books of great seers. He feels great interest in all that is helpful in raising the soul higher.
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Bala – Vision here is also dim, compared to wood-light. Asanas are performed. He can easily do padmasan etc., but is not external Asanas which are aimed at but the spiritual Asanas. He becomes firm in external Asanas but he experiences glimpses of spiritual happiness. He rises a little above the body.
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Dipra – is compared to light of Deepak or candle light. Here he attains Pranayam not only externally but internally also. He has now firm faith that it is the soul which is to be called for primarily. To save the soul he may even give up his body. To attain purification of soul, he is prepared to face any dangers and difficulties. His leaning is more and more toward soul. He attains peace not known before.
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Sthira – is considerably bright and lasting, compared to the light of jewel. He sees the world and worldly things in proper perspective. Strong likes and dislikes have disappeared. He becomes composed and calm and realizes and feels that he is not body but he is some Divine element residing within. He is soul and he feels the difference. He feels his body different from soul. He gets the Sound from within of various wonderful tunes which attunes one with Samadhi. Desires of body and senses are not liked by him. He has full faith in God, in the pure form of the soul, and he is yearning to be pure, absolutely pure.
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Kanta – can be compared to light of star. Here there is great control over mind. The mind finds happiness in devotion to God, in love and meditation of pure soul. Mind becomes steady in these higher things and finds no pleasure in physical happiness and amenities. Here he becomes so pure that he can get vision of Siddhas – liberated souls, great souls. His actions also become so pure that he is loved even by great Saints.
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Prabha – can be compared to light of sun. It is bright and strong. Here right knowledge has grown immensely and meditation becomes his second nature and he finds innermost happiness. He is serene, he has great control over his senses and mind.
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Para – can be compared to the light of moon, serene, peaceful and cool. Here meditation reaches highest pitch and he becomes immersed in it. He attains Samadhi (Sama) and becomes faultless. His state can be compared to full Moon in all its Splendour.
Yoga Drishta Samuchaya –
by Sri Haribhadracharya
Excerpts from Jain scriptures: From 'Suttagame Part II,' by Puppha Bhikoo (1954 edition):
Tapas itself is the light and it shines forth in the human body.
Gatha 44, Page 996
Hearing the Sound resembling that of the conch and witnessing the Lotus Light like that of a newly blossomed flower between the two eyebrows, one faces his Ishta, the Satguru.
Page 1046
When the knowledge finds anchorage in Knowledge, there flashes forth light.
Samayassar
The aspirant is enjoined to sit in solitude and meditate with a single-pointed attention, on the Maha Mantra of Panch parmesti and to perceive the light.
Shri Sutra Nandi