Leshya kosha Part 1

SR No.: 016037
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Banthia, Shreechand Choradiya
Publisher: Jain Darshan Prakashan
Publication Year: 1966
Total Pages: 338
Language: Sanskrit, Hindi
Classification: Dictionary & Dictionary
File Size: 14 MB

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and subtle physical attachments of the soul. 3 This is the dravya-lesya. The corresponding state of the soul of which the dravya-leśyā is the outward expression is bhāva-leśyā.4 The dravya-leśyā, being composed of matter, has all the material properties viz. colour, taste, smell and touch. But its nomenclature as krşņa (black), nila (dark blue), kåpota (grey, black-red 5), tejas (fiery, red 6), padma (lotus-coloured, yellow?) and sukla (white), is framed after its colour which appears to be its salient feature. The use of colour-names to indicate spiritual development was popular among the Ājivikas and the leśyā concept of the Jainas seems to have had a similar origin. The Buddhists appear to have given a spiritual interpretation to the Ājivika theory of six abhijātis and the Brāhmaṇical thinkers linked the colours to the various states of sattva, rajas and tamas, 8
Although it is difficult to determine the chronology of these ideas in these religions, there should be no doubt that the concept of leśyā was an integral part of Jaina metaphysics in its most ancient version. The later Jaina thinkers made attempts at knitting up the doctrine of karman, placing the concept of leśyā at its proper place in the texture.
As regards the etymology of the word leśyā (Prakrit, lessä, lesa), I would like to suggest its derivation from slis 'to burn' with its meaning extended to the sense--'shining in some colour'. This connotation and others allied to it appear to explain satisfactorily the senses of scriptural phrases containing the word lessā, collected on pages 4 and 5 of the leśyā-kośa. Dr. Jacobi's derivation of the term from klesa 10 does not appear plausible, as the kaşaya (the Jaina equivalent of klesa) has no necessary connection with the leśyā, and the various 3. P. 10 (line 5); also p. 13 (line 11). 4. P. 9 (lines 21ff). 5. P. 45 (line 13). 6. P. 45 (line 13). 7. P. 45 (line 14). 8. Pp. 254-7 ; also Glasenapp : The Doctrine of Karman in Jaina
Philosophy, p. 47, fn 2 ; Pandit Sukhlalji : Jain Cultural
Research Society (Varanasi) Patrikā No. 15, pp. 25-6. 9. Srişu-slişu-pruşu-plusu dāhe-Päņiniya-Dhătupātha, 701-4. 10. Glasenapp : op. cit., p. 47, fn 1.
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