आप्त का स्वरूप, आगम

Summary

The text describes the nature of an Āpta (a spiritually enlightened being), specifically an Arhat (Jina). An Āpta is defined as one who is free from eighteen specific defects: hunger, thirst, old age, disease, birth, death, fear, pride, attachment, aversion, delusion, anxiety, discontent, sleep, astonishment, intoxication, perspiration, and sorrow. Because they are devoid of these, they are called Vītarāga (free from passion). Upon the manifestation of Kevalajñāna (omniscience), the physical body transforms into a paramaudārika body. At this stage, gross-bodied and subtle-bodied beings separate from it, and old age has no effect. Due to the absence of the rise of asātā vedanīya karma (pain-feeling karma), defects like attachment, aversion, delusion, and fear do not arise. With the destruction of darśanāvaraṇa karma (karma obscuring perception), sleep ceases. Although the current human lifespan is being experienced, no new life-bonding occurs, so they do not undergo rebirth. Their end is not death, but mokṣa (liberation). Death is defined as that after which one must be reborn, while nirvāṇa is that after which no rebirth occurs. Because the Arhat lacks hunger and thirst, they do not consume food by taking morsels. The text also defines Āgama (scripture) as the knowledge of objects that arises through the words of the Āpta.