The Doctrine of the Jainas, Described after the Old Sources c8.208

c8.208

The āuya kamma takes an exceptional position not only in so far as its effect forms the base for the new existence (comp. Viy. 280 b = Prajn. 218 a = Sthān. 377a = Samav. 148 a) in which now the other kamma materializes, but also in that (Pannav. 216 b; Ṭhāṇ. 376 b; Viy. 632 b) its binding is confined to a certain part of life, i.e. to its last. This may be either six months or 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 of the entire āuya. The criterion is either the absence or the presence of the cause of death. Hence a person will always effect but the āuya of the immediately following life and, consequently, his ābāha (§ 85) will be only a very short one. We then read (Pannav. 217 a; Samav. 147 b) that every act of binding does not happen continuously but in stages (āgarisehim), of which there are eight and whose intensity diminishes acc. to the commentators. This reminds of the kamma-nisega. For comparison we are given the example of the cow repeatedly interrupting itself when drinking water (bhayena punaḥ punaḥ āghoṭayati resp. ābṛhati).