14 Marganas - 1. Gati Margana

The 14 Marganas have been described in a previous article . Now we shall see them in some detail. 

The 14 Marganas are unique characteristics by which a Jiva is identified or located at a given time. The very first of these is the Gati ( Birth) margana which represents the type of birth a Jiva may take in transmigration. The word Gati implies migration which may be possible even in the matter but here Gati implies the manifested form of Jiva on account of fruition of Gati Naamkarma.  These are only four in the world namely 1. Narak ( Hell) 2. Manushya ( Human) 3. Tiryanch ( Animal ) 4. Deva ( Heaven).  The fifth gati is Siddha gati which is not included since it is not worldly.

1.       Narak Gati : The word Narak represents unpleasant which is the type of stay for the Jivas born in hell. As a rule they are transgender and indulge in anger, animosity between each other and try to make others suffer. There are seven levels of hell which are physically separated from each other and are located one below the other. The first hell is the mildest of the seven while seventh is the worst of the lot. The duration of stay in first hell is from 10000years minimum to a maximum of 1 sagar. The stay in each subsequent  hell is longer than the previous one. The longest is in 7^th hell which is 33 sagar. One cannot die earlier than the age decided by Ayu Karma ( age defining karma ) bound by the Jiva in previous birth even if he wishes to.  The body in Narak Gati is not similar to human or animal body. It is known as Vaikriyik Sharir which in spite of being tortured, cut or broken does not destroy and rejoins like Mercury. Nevertheless he suffers the agony of various methods of torture inflicted by his mates. Even for a single moment he does not have respite from suffering. The number of Jivas in  each level of  hell is innumerable, far higher than the number of humans which is numerable only. However the first level of Narak has highest number of residents and it keeps reducing in the lower levels.

It is important to note that in spite of so much suffering, the Jiva in Narak can manage to get Samyak Darshan (right belief) if he makes the effort. This is applicable for all the seven levels of hell. Perhaps the suffering can induce the Jiva to contemplate upon his form and realize the cause of the suffering.  Some of the Devas who may be his relatives or friends in previous birth may also visit the hell and guide him to attain self realization. Up to third level of hell, it is possible for Devas to visit, although not all visits are for helping the Naraki. Some of them take pleasure in making them fight and harm each other. The reason is that both Devas and Narakis have avadhi gyana ( clairvoyance) which permits them to remember previous birth and recall the animosity of previous birth and take revenge. This is the main cause of their internal fights since they keep trying to settle score. However some may recall the mistakes made and make amends by contemplating on the self, leading to samyak darshan. It may also be noted that a Jiva who has acquired Kshayik Samyak Darshan ( Irreversible right belief) in human birth but has accrued Narak Ayu karma beforehand, is forced to take birth in Narak only although he does not go below first level. A famous personality in this category is King Shrenik who was principal disciple of Bhagwan Mahaveer and is slated to be first Tirthankara in Bharat Kshetra in next cycle of time.

The birth in Narak Gati itself is a painful process wherein the jiva is thrown from a high pedestal onto ground to the delight of his co Narakis. Here there is no growth into adulthood since from the beginning he is adult. The height of Narakis is dependent upon the hell he is staying in. The lowest is the first hell and sequentially increases in the seventh hell to 525 Dhanush.

The conditions of each Narak is progressively worst with the climate changing from hot to extreme cold in the 7^th Narak.

The bondage of next birth starts six months prior to the completion of the term in Narak unlike human or animal birth wherein it occurs after 2/3^rd of age is completed. It may be noted that one does not bond Narak Gati from Narak i.e. one cannot take rebirth into Narak immediately and nor can he go to heaven. He takes birth in humans or animals  and then he can take birth again in Narak. Those who attain right belief would take birth as humans while others can take birth in five sensed animals or humans. They cannot take birth in lower than five sensed Jivas and that too with mind.

The highest gunasthana possible in Narak is 4^th  which is that of asamyat Samyak Drishti. However he cannot be Muni or become Samyat therefore there is no possibility of attaining Moksha from there.

2.       Tiryanch Gati : This state includes all animals having one  senses to five senses(About Nigod Jiva). In five senses there are animals with or without mind who are inclusive. In other words it includes all jivas except humans, devas and narakis. While 1-4 sensed are invariably transgender, the five sensed are of all the three types. Since even Nigod Jivas are included here the number of Jivas are infinitely infinite although five sensed Jivas would still be innumerable only. The two sensed and above are called Trasa jiva while one sensed are called Sthavara since they are stationary and cannot move while Trasa jiva tend to move to protect themselves. The jiva spends infinite period in Stahvara form before he may get a chance to be Trasa jiva. The maximum period of remaining in Trasa form is 2000 sagar after which he invariably return  to Sthavara form. The Trasa form includes humans, tiryanch , devas and narakis all.The body of tiryanch and humans is called audarik different from that of naraki and devas.

The age of trasa jiva of 2-4 senses is maximum few thousand years with a minimum of Antarmuhurta ( less than 48 minutes). For the five sensed jivas it can be one poorva koti which is same as that of humans. Besides the five sensed animals can also take birth in Bhoga bhoomi where the age can be maximium of 3 palya which is innumerable number of years. The minimum age for five sensed tiryanch is also antarmuhurta ( except in bhoga bhoomi). The process of bondage of next birth ayu starts after completion of 2/3 of current age. It can occur anywhere between then to the end of life of the animal.

Five sensed Jivas with mind can attain highest gunasthana of 5^th ie. Virat avirat samayakdrishti which is partially samyat. They cannot be samyat and hence cannot attain Moksha.

From tiryanch gati Jivas can go to heaven or even the 7^th hell or manushya or tiryanch gati depending upon their karmas.

3.       Manushya Gati : In human birth he can belong to any of the three genders and can have an age of maximum one poorva koti in karma bhoomi while it is 3 palya in bhoga bhoomi. The minimum age here also is antarmuhurta. Age higher than 8 years is eligible for climbing spiritual ladder and become samyat muni and even keval gyani i.e. omniscient. All three gender jivas ( by bhava ) are eligible for climbing the ladder and can attain Moksha. However physically he has to be a male. 

      Women are eligible to climb upto 5^th gunasthana only since they cannot have stable contemplation to concentrate to attain higher levels.

Both naraki and devas who have attained right belief take next birth as humans.

From Manushya gati one can go to all the four gati depending upon his karmas.

4.       Deva Gati : This is the pleasant state of birth wherein jiva gets reward for his punya karma. However it does not provide him with a means to attain Moksha since he returns invariably to human or tiryanch form after enjoying the reward of his previous karmas. The devas are of four types. They are known as Bhavanvasi, Vyantar, Jyotishi and Vaimanik. The first three form one group  who are resident in lower earth, trees, caves and planets while the second group are the devas dwelling in Vimana which are residential abodes above the earth known as heavens. There are sixteen types of these vimanas wherein jiva can take birth. Further there are higher level heavens known as Graveyik, Anudish and  Anuttar. The numbers are Devas are innumerable, far higher than that of Narakis. The age is variable. The minimum age is 10000 years in Bhavanvasi deva while maximum is 33 sagar in Sarvartha siddhi Vimana. The maximum age for Devi ( female deva) is 55 palya. The number of devis in heaven is also large and almost 32 times that of male. Devis are born upto 2^nd level heaven but they may go to higher levels with their Devas belonging to higher level heavens.

Even in heaven one can go upto 4^th gunasthana and not beyond. The reason is that they do not have capability to attain control of the senses. Hence one cannot go to Moksha from  there. Those of humans or animals who die with right belief, take birth only as Vaimanik devas and not in lower bhavanvasi etc. Even a muni who may die in 11th gunasthana would take birth as a 4th gunasthana deva. The devas have better opportunity for attaining right belief because they can have guidance from other Devas, visit to Manushya Loka for listening to Tirthankaras, jati-smaran(recollection of previous birth).

The body of the Devas is Vaikriyik similar to that of Narakis, however they have capability to modify and change the body into various shapes and sizes depending upon their desire. They do not require food for sustaining . A nectar flows into their mouth from the throat depending upon the requirement which fulfills their requirement. The period of this replenishment is also after a long gap. Thus they practically do not require food.

Devas have only two genders namely male and female. Here the physical gender and mental bhavas are of the same type unlike humans or animals.

In devas too, like Narakis, the bondage for the next birth occurs earliest at six months prior to the completion of present ayu. The bondage  can occur anytime from 6 months prior onwards up to death. Nearing completion of his ayu is indicated by the withering of a garland around his neck . Hence the Devas can sense that their term in heavens is getting over. It may also be noted that unlike Narakis who can take birth only as humans or five sensed animals, the Devas can take birth as a single sensed Jiva also. In Devas also the death cannot occur prior to completion of existing ayu.

Devas are also bestowed with avadhi gyana right from birth like Narakis which they could use for good or bad purposes depending upon their disposition.

Lower level  devas can travel up to 3^rd level of hell for visiting the hell. Sometimes the visit is used to preach the right path to their earlier friends or relatives. Higher level devas of Vaimanik kind have higher purity of thought and are more contented and do not travel either.  The highest level is known as Sarvarth Siddhi where in the devas have ayu of 33 sagar and have right belief from birth and from this they would take birth for the last time as human. After this they attain Moksha.

In this manner the Jivas keep accruing ayu karmas of the four kind and depending upon the same the corresponding gati naam karma fructifies resulting in Jiva taking birth in the designated gati. This cycle continues till he acquires right belief and makes effort to attain Moksha resulting in Siddha Gati from which there is no return.