Leshya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Leshya" by Ramanlal C. Shah, based on the provided pages:

The book "Leshya" by Ramanlal C. Shah delves into a significant technical concept within Jainism. Leshya refers to the subtle emanations or auras that surround a living being, arising from the thoughts, emotions, and mental states (adhyavasayas) of the soul. These are not merely superficial appearances but are understood as a manifestation of the soul's energetic interaction with subtle matter.

Core Concepts of Leshya:

• Two Aspects: Dravya Leshya and Bhava Leshya:

  • Dravya Leshya (Material Leshya): This refers to the subtle material particles (pudgala paramanu) that are attracted to the soul due to its mental states. These particles possess qualities like color, taste, smell, and touch.
  • Bhava Leshya (Psychic Leshya): This refers to the mental states, disposition, consciousness, and internal modifications of the soul itself. It is the driving force behind the attraction of Dravya Leshya.

• The Role of Subtle Bodies: The text explains that our physical body is accompanied by two subtler bodies: the Tejas (luminous) body and the Karma body. Leshya is understood as the interactions and emanations from the Tejas body, while adhyavasayas (mental activities) are linked to the Karma body. Both are centrally controlled by the mind (chitta), which is connected to the soul.

• Origin and Nature: Leshya originates from the continuous flow of thoughts and emotional waves (bhava-taranga) emanating from the mind. As these waves flow, they attract subtle particles of varying colors, which then pervade the mind and body. The term "Leshya" itself is derived from the Prakrit word "Lessa," related to "las" meaning "to shine" or "to gleam."

• Etymological and Technical Meanings:

  • General Meanings: Splendor, light, radiance, aura, beauty, happiness, color.
  • Technical Meanings: Disposition, mental inclination, state of the mind, inner consciousness, aura, subtle matter associated with mental states.

• Definitions from Jain Scriptures: Various definitions are cited from Jain texts:

  • Uttaradhyayana Sutra Commentary: Leshya is that which attracts the eyes of others towards the soul.
  • Aachary Haribhadrasuri (Avashyak Sutra Commentary): Leshya is that which binds the soul with the eight types of karmas.
  • Digambara text "Dhavala": Leshya is that which adheres karmas to the soul. It is also described as a yogic activity colored by the rise of passions (kashayas).

The Six Leshyas:

Jainism identifies six types of Leshyas, categorized as inauspicious and auspicious:

Inauspicious Leshyas (Ashubha Leshyas):

1. Krishna Leshya (Black Leshya): Characterized by intense negative qualities like violence, deceit, anger, greed, lack of control, recklessness, cruelty, and impurity. The corresponding Dravya Leshya is described as extremely dark.
2. Neel Leshya (Blue Leshya): Associated with envy, anger, attachment, Maya (deceit), lack of forgiveness, covetousness, and excessive attachment to sensual pleasures. Its Dravya Leshya is blue.
3. Kapota Leshya (Dove-colored/Grey Leshya): Marked by crookedness in speech and conduct, hypocrisy, hiding faults, pride, possessiveness, false beliefs, harsh speech, theft, and jealousy. Its Dravya Leshya is a mixture of black and red, resembling the color of a dove's neck.

Auspicious Leshyas (Shubha Leshyas):

4. Tejo Leshya (Fiery/Yellow Leshya): Characterized by humility, firmness, absence of deceit, contentment, self-control, practice of dharma, and protection from sin. Its Dravya Leshya is yellowish, like blood or the rising sun.
5. Padma Leshya (Lotus-colored/Pink Leshya): Associated with minimal anger, pride, deceit, and greed, a calm mind, self-control, and a desire for spiritual practice. Its Dravya Leshya is pinkish, like a lotus.
6. Shukla Leshya (White Leshya): Represents the highest state of purity, detachment, peace, self-control, practice of pure dharma, and absence of passions. Its Dravya Leshya is white, like conch shells or milk.

Characteristics and Manifestations:

• Dravya Leshya: Possesses color, taste, smell, and touch. The text provides detailed descriptions of the qualities (color, taste, smell, touch) of each of the six Dravya Leshyas, often using analogies from nature and sensory experiences to illustrate their subtle, yet potent, nature.
• Bhava Leshya: Described as colorless, tasteless, odorless, and intangible, but capable of transforming and influencing karma, leading to either auspicious or inauspicious destinies.
• Impact on Behavior and Environment: The text emphasizes that Leshya has a tangible impact. Individuals with inauspicious Leshyas can create tense atmospheres, while those with auspicious Leshyas exude a calming influence. Examples of spiritual masters pacifying wild animals or individuals transforming their inner states due to the presence of others with pure Leshyas are cited.
• Distinction from Physical Color: It's crucial to note that the external skin color of a person is determined by Namakarma and is gross, while Dravya Leshya is subtle and invisible to the naked eye. A fair-skinned person can have Krishna Leshya, and a dark-skinned person can have Shukla Leshya.
• Relationship with Karmic Stages (Gunasthanas): The text outlines how Leshyas manifest across the fourteen stages of spiritual development (Gunasthanas). Initially, all six Leshyas are present. As one progresses, the inauspicious Leshyas gradually disappear, leaving only the auspicious ones, culminating in the pure Shukla Leshya and finally becoming "Aleshi" (without Leshya) at the highest stage.

Leshyas in Different Realms and Their Progression:

• Hell-dwellers (Naraki): Their Leshyas are described progressively from the worst (Kapota, Neel, Krishna) in the lower hells to the most severe forms of inauspiciousness.
• Heavenly Beings (Deva): Their Leshyas are generally auspicious, with the highest beings possessing Param Shukla Leshya.
• Animals (Tiryanche): They can have varying combinations of Leshyas depending on their species and development.
• Humans: Possess all six Leshyas, with the potential to change them through their conduct.
• Leshyas and Karma: Leshya is intimately connected to karma. It influences the type of karma attracted and the process of its fruition.
• Leshyas and Meditation: Inauspicious Leshyas (Krishna, Neel, Kapota) are associated with Arta (sorrowful) and Raudra (fierce) meditation, while auspicious Leshyas (Tejo, Padma, Shukla) are linked to Dharma (religious) and Shukla meditation.
• Transformation of Leshyas: The text highlights that Leshyas are not static. They can transform from one to another, even rapidly, as illustrated by the example of King Prasannachandra. This transformation is crucial for spiritual progress.

Tejo Leshya (A Special Aspect):

Beyond the six primary Leshyas, the text discusses a special type of Tejo Leshya attained through severe austerities. This material Tejo Leshya is incredibly potent and can cause destruction. The famous incident of Goshalaka throwing his Tejo Leshya at Lord Mahavir, which was counteracted by Mahavir's cooling Leshya, is detailed. This special Tejo Leshya is described as an emanation from the Tejas body, achieved through specific ascetic practices like enduring heat and cold, controlling passions, and undertaking arduous fasts.

Leshyas and Other Sciences:

The book suggests potential connections between Leshya and modern scientific concepts like Kirlian photography (aura), chakras, astrology, and color therapy, acknowledging that further research is needed in these areas.

Practical Implications:

The text concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding Leshyas for both spiritual and worldly well-being. Inauspicious Leshyas can lead to mental distress and physical ailments, while auspicious Leshyas promote health and contentment. The teachings of the Tirthankaras encourage cultivating auspicious Leshyas and avoiding inauspicious ones, highlighting Leshya as a powerful force that can guide a soul towards liberation. The aspiration should be to consciously move towards pure Leshyas.