The
forty-
two
ways of
enjoying
the fruit
of Puṇya.We have seen that there are nine chief ways of laying up merit: the Jaina believe that there are forty-two ways in which the reward of this merit can be reaped. If one is ways of very happy in having all that one needs to eat, drink and wear, one knows that one is enjoying Śātavedanīya. If one is born in a high family (Ūñċagotra); if one has had the joy of being born as a man (Manuṣya gati), and not as a beast, god, or hell being; and moreover if one is sure to be born in one's next birth as a man and not a beast (Manuṣya anupūrvī), one is experiencing three happy results of puṇya. The last of these results is often likened to the reins that pull an ox on to the right road, so strong is the force inherent in puṇya. If the merit acquired were very powerful, one might be born as a god and so enjoy Devatā gati, even becoming Kṛiṣṇa or Indra. To be even a minor god is a stage higher than being born as an ordinary man, and another of the fruits is Devatā anupūrvī, which keeps one on the path of becoming a god.
If we have all five senses in this life, it shows that we are enjoying Pañċendriyapaṇuṁ, and if we have a large and imposing body instead of a little one like an ant, that is owing to Audārikaśarīra. Sometimes puṇya has a magical effect, owing to which one may gain Vaikreyaśarīra, or a body like a god's, which can appear and disappear at will, can produce six or four hands, and become mountainous or minute. Certain monks by virtue of their knowledge and of their austerities gain the power of sending out a tiny body from themselves which can go to Mahāvideha and obtain answers to any doubts or spiritual difficulties from the Tīrthaṅkara there.[1] This tiny body is called Āhārakaśarīra, and the power of creating it is regarded as one of the most valued fruits of puṇya. Certain other fruits of puṇya (Audārika aṅgopāṅga, Vaikreya aṅgopāṅga, and Āhāraka
- ↑ Not from the Siddha, who take no interest in anything earthly.
