गोम्मटसार में कर्मबंध : कारण और निवारण
By विद्यावारिधि डॉ. महेन्द्रसागर प्रचंडिया
Summary
The text discusses the concept of karma bondage and its prevention according to the Jain scripture Gommatasara. It explains that the combination of inert matter and consciousness constitutes the cycle of rebirth, which is sustained by eight types of karma: those that obscure perception, knowledge, delusion, and obstruct spiritual potential, along with those determining lifespan, physical form, social status, and feeling. The first four are considered destructive to the soul's qualities, while the latter four are non-destructive. Various technical terms describe karma states, including intensification, transformation, reduction, premature fruition, natural fruition, temporary suspension, and fixed fruition. Causes for bondage of perception and knowledge obscuring karmas include disrespect toward the knowledgeable, obstructing knowledge acquisition, criticizing worthy teachings, and hiding one's teacher's name. Delusion karma is described as the backbone of bondage, divided into delusion of faith and conduct. Opposing the Arihant, Siddha, scriptures, guru, religion, and sangha leads to bondage of faith-deluding karma, while intense passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed cause conduct-deluding karma. Obstructing karma results from engaging in violence or hindering worship and the path to liberation. For non-destructive karmas, causes include being false-sighted, excessively violent, shameless, intensely greedy, and prone to wrathful thoughts for hellish rebirth. Preaching wrong paths, being deceitful, and having hidden intentions lead to animal rebirth. Moderate passions, generosity, and a desire for restraint lead to human rebirth. Right faith, minor or major vows, and even penance without self-awareness can lead to divine rebirth. Deceitful conduct leads to inauspicious physical karma, while devotion to the five supreme beings leads to auspicious physical karma and high social status. The text concludes that falsehood is the main cause of karma bondage, while right faith is the primary means of prevention.
Conclusion
The analysis of the *Gommaṭasāra* reveals that the eight karmas—ranging from the four ghātiyā karmas that directly obstruct the soul’s innate qualities to the four aghātiyā karmas that determine the body, lifespan, and social status—are bound by specific causes rooted in ignorance, attachment, and wrong conduct. The document systematically outlines how each karma is bound through particular actions and mental states, such as disrespect toward knowledge, indulgence in violence, or deceit, and how their prevention lies in cultivating their opposites: right faith, restraint, and ethical living. The central implication is that mithyātva (wrong belief) is the primary cause of all karmic bondage, while samyaktva (right belief) is the essential foundation for its cessation. Thus, liberation from the cycle of birth and death is not a matter of mere ritual but requires a deliberate transformation of one’s worldview and conduct