Jain World
Sub-Categories of Passions

The Navakar Mantra

What is the Jain Dharma or Jainism?
Who is a Jin?
Who is a Jain?
The Jain dharma
  The Arrangement Of Ara, The Phases Of Time
  Tirtha, Dharma And Tirthankar (One Who Reveals The Dharma)
  The Exposition Of The Philosophy
  Bhagwan Mahavir
  The Path Of Achievement
  Total Renunciation
  Some special rules of conduct for sadhus and sadhvis
  The Dashvirati Dharma
  The Fourteen Pledges By Househl Oders
  Avashyak (The Essentials)
  Prathana (Prayer)
  Jap And Dhyan
  The Eighteen Sources Of Sin (Papa Sthanak)..
  Before assuming Dharma
  Tapasya and the codes of conduct:
  The External austerities ( six kinds )
  Abhyantar Tap (Six kinds)
  Some minor and major austerities for daily practice.
  Why is fasting essential ?
  Some Special And Important Austerities
  Why should water be boiled ?
  It is necessary to filter water:
  The Jain Dharma prohibits the eating of the following things
  Why should not people eat meat ?
  Even the egg is dangerous !
  Alcoholic drinks should be renounced
  Why should we not eat certain types of food?
  We should not take food in the night. Why?
  Organization of the Jain Society
  Some Important Jain Institutions
  Jain Upashray: Religious Centres
  The Jain Libraries
  The Jain Schools
  Ayambil Shala
  The Jain Panjarapol--Shelter for Cattle
  The Jain Choultries
  The Jain Pilgrim Centres
  The system of the seven institutions of the Jains.
  The Jain Festivals
  The Jain Celebrations
  The Jain Philosophy
  The Nine Doctrines
  Kashay- Passions
  The Process of Spiritual Elevation,
  Samiti and Gupti
  16 Bhavanas
  The Jain Literature
  A Representative Jain Work
  A Glossary Of Difficult Words

54. Leshya


Bhadrabahu Vijay

States of mind--six kinds

Just as the gem called the Sphatika-crystal is pure and transparent, the soul also is pure and transparent in its original form. If we place near the Sphatika any colour, it acquire that colour and radiance. The soul also assumes various forms in accordance with the effect of the various Pudgals on it. It keeps wandering through various conditions. The Jain Dharma gives the name Leshya to the various transformations that the soul undergoes.

Leshya means a mental propensity. The propensity and mental reaction are called Leshya The effect of thinking, of the environment, and of food falls on the body and the mind either deeply or lightly. The colour of the body also changes in accordance with that effect. The face of an angry man grows red; and blood seems to rush out of his eyes. The face of a man who is in despair or dejection, grows pale. The brightness of his face fades away. The face assumes a different colour under the impact of love or infatuation. All these changes take place on account of Leshya. The Leshyas have been properly classified on the basis of the colors that appear or disappear in the face, on account of the effect of propensities, and thoughts.

There are six leshyas.

1. In Krishna leshya, black leshya, color is black like Collyrium. The person in this conditin would be devoid of Dharma; he will have no kindness, or sympathy; he will be burning with jealousy; he will be angry; and will be steeped in animosity and malice. If person dies in this condition then such person would go to Hell.

2. In Neel leshya, blue leshya, color is blue like the throat of a peacock. The person in this conditin would be lazy, haughty, cowardly, steeped in stupefying passions, and will be a cheat and a hypocrite. If person dies in this condition then such person would be born as a in tree, plant, etc.

3. In Kapot leshya, Brown leshya, color is brown like the throat of pigeon. The person in this conditin would be gloomy, excited, of a dejected, despondent, Iamenting calumniating others; praising himself and will lack mental poise. If person dies in this condition then such person would be born as a bird or animals.

4. In TeJo leshya, Red color, color is red like the beak of parrot. The person in this conditin would be religious, death, a benevolent and thinks will of what can be done what should not be done. He has a wholesome and balanced personality. If person dies in this condition then such person would be born as human.

5. In Padma leshya, Yellow lesya, color is yellow like gold. The person in this conditin would be forgiving by nature and makes sacrifices. He is very conscious; wakeful in the performance of austerities. He remains unaffected by joys and sorrows and is always cheerful. If person dies in this condition then such person would be born as celestial beings in devloka.

6. In Shukla Leshya, White leshya, color is white like cow's milk or conch shell. When the Jiva is firmly rooted in this Leshya that person becomes omniscient; becomes totally free from attachments and hatred and becomes immersed in soul- experience and self-realization. If person dies in this condition then such person becomes Mukta and attins salvation.

The first three Leshyas are the worst (most harmful); worse (more harmful) and bad (harmful) respectively. They lead the soul on the wrong path or the path of ruin. The last three leshyas are good (auspicious); better (more auspicious) and the best (the most auspicious) respectively; and they lead the soul on the path of righteousness and spiritual prosperity.

Leshya is a portrait of man's mental state. Even the other philosophies than Jainism also define man's various propensities on the basis of his mental states. The Rajoguna has been described as being red; because it makes the mind stupid on account of infatuation. The Tamoguna has been described as being black; because it eclipses the knowledge of man. The Satvaguna has been described as being white because by means of that quality, the mind becomes pure and happy. The entire science of colour - appeal and colour - treatment is based on the science of Leshya or mental states causing colors; and this is no exaggeration.

It is possible to infer and define truthfully and perfectly, a man's nature, his individuality, his mental propensities, his future etc., on the basis of his preference for certain colors. It is not only the face but even the colour of the face that is the index of the mind. Even the colour of a man's face can reveal his mind.