Leshya Ek Vivechan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Leshya: Ek Vivechan" by Mahaveer Raj Gelada, based on the provided pages:

The book "Leshya: Ek Vivechan" (A Discussion on Leshya) by Dr. Mahaveer Raj Gelada delves into the concept of Leshya within Jain philosophy, attempting to connect it with scientific principles, particularly in the realm of physics and electromagnetism.

Core Concept of Leshya in Jainism:

Leshya as a Crucial Element of Karma Theory: The author begins by stating that Leshya holds significant importance in understanding Jainism's theory of karma.
Attraction and Adhesion of Subtle Matter: Every soul in its cycle of transmigration constantly attracts and repels subtle particles (pudgals) due to its tendencies. When these pudgals, possessing qualities of stickiness (snigdha) and dryness (ruksha), become one with the soul, they are called "karma."
Jain Definition of Karma: Jainism's definition of karma, the author notes, differs from other philosophical systems.
Subtle Karma Pudgals: While the soul's activities through mind, speech, and body (yoga) are gross, the karmic pudgals that become one with the soul are extremely subtle.
Dravya Leshya and Bhava Leshya: The text introduces two types of Leshya:
- Dravya Leshya (Material Leshya): These are subtle pudgals that necessarily assist in the karmic bondage process. They determine the "symbol" of gross pudgals. Dravya Leshya can be scientifically identified due to their material nature.
- Bhava Leshya (Mental/Emotional Leshya): These are the soul's internal states or dispositions that correspond to the Dravya Leshya.
Properties of Dravya Leshya: Dravya Leshya pudgals are characterized by their color-influencing properties. They are grosser than karmic pudgals, द्रव्य कषाय (material passions), द्रव्य मन (material mind), and द्रव्य भाषा (material speech), but subtler than the physical body (audarik, vaikriy) and sound. They are called "prayogik pudgal" (experimental pudgals) as they are utilized by the soul. They don't bind the soul themselves but are essential for the karma bondage process.
Etymology and Function of Leshya: The term "Leshya" is derived from "leshya-shliyate atma karmna sahanaye'ti leshya," meaning "that which aids the soul in becoming attached to karma." Leshya is a result of the soul's yogic tendencies.
Auspicious and Inauspicious Leshyas:
- When karma bondage occurs due to the influence of delusion (moha) during yogic activity, it is considered inauspicious (papa) and the Leshya is called ashubh (inauspicious).
- When karma bondage occurs in the absence of delusion, it is considered auspicious (punya) and the Leshya is called shubh (auspicious).
The Six Leshyas: There are six types of Leshyas:
- Krishna (Black)
- Neel (Blue)
- Kaphot (Grey/Peacock-colored)
- Tejas (Yellow/Fiery)
- Padma (Pink/Lotus-colored)
- Shukla (White) The first three (Krishna, Neel, Kaphot) are considered inauspicious and are associated with cold and dry touch. The latter three (Tejas, Padma, Shukla) are considered auspicious and are associated with hot and sticky touch.
Ancient Interpretation: Ancient Jain scholars linked Leshya to the soul's dispositions and associated them with colors. The Dravya Leshya of beings in hellish realms and celestial beings is classified based on their body's color.

Scientific Interpretation of Leshya:

Dr. Gelada then attempts to bridge the gap between Jain philosophy and modern science by analyzing Leshya through two main properties:

Color (Varna):
- The author draws parallels with the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly visible light.
- The visible spectrum consists of seven colors (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red).
- He notes that as we move from violet to red, the frequency decreases, and the wavelength increases.
- Radiation beyond violet is ultraviolet (UV), and beyond red is infrared (IR).
- Proposed Correlation: The author proposes a tentative correlation between the six Leshyas and portions of the electromagnetic spectrum:
  - Krishna Leshya: Likely corresponds to wavelengths beyond infrared and possibly X-rays and gamma rays (very short wavelengths, high frequency).
  - Neel Leshya: Corresponds to shorter wavelengths/higher frequencies.
  - Kaphot Leshya: Corresponds to shorter wavelengths/higher frequencies.
  - Tejas Leshya: Corresponds to yellow/visible spectrum.
  - Padma Leshya: Corresponds to red/visible spectrum.
  - Shukla Leshya: Corresponds to wavelengths beyond visible, perhaps infrared or even longer wavelengths with lower frequencies.
- Discrepancy Noted: The author points out a potential discrepancy where Jain literature describes Tejas Leshya as blood-red and Padma Leshya as turmeric-yellow, which contrasts with his proposed correlation where Tejas is yellow and Padma is red.
Subtlety of Pudgals (Frequency and Wavelength):
- High Frequency = Inauspicious: The author suggests that radiation with shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies (like UV, X-rays) are more potent and can penetrate matter, providing information about atomic structures. He posits that Leshyas associated with high frequencies would therefore be more conducive to deeper karmic bondage, keeping the soul attached to the material world, which is detrimental to consciousness and thus inauspicious.
- Low Frequency = Auspicious: Conversely, radiations with longer wavelengths and lower frequencies would cause less intense interaction, leading to less severe karmic bondage. These would be considered auspicious.
- Frequency as Key Factor: The author emphasizes that the frequency of pudgals is a crucial factor in determining whether a Leshya is auspicious or inauspicious.
- Goal of Meditation/Yoga: In meditation and yoga practices, the aim is to reduce the frequency of pudgals. This means controlling the mind, speech, and body to engage with fewer pudgals or to slow down the process of accepting and releasing them. This leads to the use of "shubh" (auspicious) Leshya.
- Three Elements Defining Leshya: Therefore, the author concludes that the identification of Leshya involves three elements:
  - Pudgality: Its material nature.
  - Frequency: The rate of vibration or oscillation of these subtle particles.
  - Wavelength: The spatial period of the wave.

Connecting Science and Karma Bandha:

Subtle Signals from Gross Actions: The author argues that to obtain subtle signals (like karmic impressions) from gross actions (yogic tendencies), the principles of light radiations are essential. Without these, from a scientific perspective, such subtle signals cannot be obtained, implying that karmic bondage cannot occur.
Leshya as Radiations, Karma as Finer: He proposes that Leshya should be considered as light radiations, and karmic pudgals as even subtler than light.
Future of Spectroscopic Science: As spectroscopic science advances, the ability to obtain subtle signals from gross pudgals through various radiations will increase, making the Jain theory of karma bondage clearer with the understanding of Leshya.

Concluding Quote:

The text ends with a quote from Rishibhashit: "Desires in the world are of many kinds, by being bound to which, the soul suffers. Therefore, by conquering desire with non-desire, the seeker finds happiness." This quote implicitly links the control of desires (which are tied to Leshya and karma) to achieving spiritual happiness.