Dr. Jayantilal Jain's Guest Lecture 

At University of  Madras, Department of  Jainology -  Aug.2017

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Kram Baddha Paryay

The principle of  Krama Baddha Paryay  means that the behavior pattern  of the ever changing universe is bound by some order. Whatever modifications in the substances are visible in this world  are happening in a definite orderly manner as if planned. Looking at things from outward conventional aspect, the behaviour pattern of substance appears to be disorderly, but considered deeply, one can discern a well planned orderliness.

The study of Krama Baddha Paryaya (sequence bound modifications) is very important as an understanding is needed about events happening.  Who is doing them, who is responsible.  All philosophies, except Jainism and Buddhism believe in an omnipotent God who is orchestrating these events. The principle of Creator, Regulator and Destroyer.   Jainism does not believe this.  Can somebody design my destiny?  I should be able to decide my destiny.  The resolution of these questions is essential for establishing the true religion.

It appears as though the determinant is our Karma.  It creates health,wealth etc., it maintains and it destroys.  But we are conscious of ourselves and our actions lead to karma, such as dravya karma, bhav karma.  Also there is body making nokarma.  The nigod jivas exist in nitya nigod as gold exists in its ore from beginning less time.  It exists even in Siddhasila without awareness.  To a question how the nigod jiva came to be born in Siddhasila, the answer is puerile obsession with Moksha without any true understanding or following the ways to attain it.  What is the point in people who are obsessed with climbing the Sikarji 99 times without Samyaktva.  A dog  living in the hills of Sammetsikarji also climbs up and down many times.    At best, Karmas are indicators of our actions in the past.  Karma has no place when knowing yourself as soul.  Soul is not made of karma. Soul is Jnan and Darshan.

Whenever any event happens - there are always five essentials (Samvay) operating simultaneously.

1. Nature  of the substance (Swabhav)

2. Future inevitability – Destiny  (Bhavitavya)

3. Fruition of time ( Kaal Labdhi)

4. Self effort (Purushartha)

5. Instrumental causes (Nimitta)

For the event of Moksha, out of the five, three are not in our hands; viz. time, instrumental causes and destiny.  But nature of the pure soul (Swabhav) and self effort (Purushartha) to remain in that nature of the pure self are in our hands.  For evolution into a liberated soul; ripe time is till exhaustion of karmas, destiny is as perceived by Kevaljnani Bagawan, karmic activity is the nimitta.  Hence, to know the soul and being in its true nature is in our hands and rest of other Samvayas will fall into place.

As our experiences increase the knowledge
horizon also increases.  With decreasing ajnan,
jnan increases.  The point of infinite knowledge
is Kevaljnana

NB:  This post is as per my understanding of his lecture and is not verbatim.   Any error either in content or presentation is my inadequacy.