The Jaina Doctrine of Karma And The Science Of Genetics: ▪ Cause Of Bondage Of Four Gatis

Jainism recognizes four states of existence (gatis):

1. Celestial state of existence (devagati)
2. Human state of existence (manuṣya gati)
3. Animal state of existence (tiryanca gati)
4. Hell (infernal) state of existence (naraka gati).

Fig.19

Jaina thinkers firmly believed that every individual has to bear the consequences of his own karmas in this life or another life. The good deeds have good results and take the jīva to celestial and human states of existence. The bad deeds have their evil effects and take the soul to animal and hellish (infernal) states of existence.

According to Jainism, every state of existence has four causes. The karma leading to the enjoyment of divine life (devagati) has the following four causes (bondage):

1. Leading ascetic life with affection.
2. Leading ascetic life with pure mind.
3. Practicing penance without keeping its consequences.
4. Practicing austerities without any aim.

The karma leading to human life (manuṣya gati) has four causes (bondage):

1. Simplicity of behaviour.
2. Humble character.
3. Compassion.
4. Want of envy.

The karma leading to animal life (tiryanca gati) has four causes (bondage):

1. To deceive others.
2. To deceive others vigorously.
3. Speaking falsehood.
4. Playing fraud.

The karma leading to hell (infernal) (naraka gati) has four causes (bondage)—

1. Possessive of immense wealth.
2. Indulging in violent deeds.
3. Killing the living beings possessing five sense-organs.
4. Eating flesh.^[25]