लक्खणमयं
By पं. कैलाशचन्द्र शास्त्री, डॉ. आ. ने. उपाध्याय
Summary
The text describes the characteristics of individuals associated with different leśyās (psychic colors) in Jain philosophy. For the kṛṣṇa leśyā (black), the traits include intense anger, an unforgiving nature, a quarrelsome disposition, lack of compassion and righteousness, wickedness, cruelty, and being uncontrollable by others. Additional traits for this leśyā are slowness or laziness in work, lack of intelligence, ignorance of present duties, being lustful toward sensory objects like touch, arrogance, deceitfulness, laziness in performing duties, and having an inscrutable intent. For the nīla leśyā (blue), the characteristics are excessive sleeping, habitual cheating of others, and intense greed for wealth and grain. For the kapota leśyā (dove-colored), the traits include frequent anger, constant criticism of others, blaming others repeatedly, being prone to sorrow and fear, inability to see others’ good qualities, self-praise while denigrating others, distrust of others while assuming others are equally distrustful, excessive delight in those who praise him, disregard for one’s own or others’ loss or gain, willingness to die in battle, giving away much to those who flatter him, and ignorance of what is proper or improper action.
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Conclusion
The implications of this text are significant for understanding Jain philosophical classifications of human temperament and spiritual development. The detailed descriptions of leśyā types—particularly the negative kṛṣṇa (black), nīla (blue), and kapota (dove-grey) categories—provide a diagnostic framework for identifying harmful behavioral patterns. These include chronic anger, deceit, greed, laziness, and lack of compassion, which are seen as obstacles to spiritual progress. The outcome for practitioners is clear: by recognizing these traits in oneself, one can work to overcome them and progress toward more virtuous leśyā states. This system offers a practical tool for self-assessment and moral improvement within Jain tradition, linking observable behaviors directly to spiritual consequences. The text thus serves both as a warning against negative tendencies and as a guide for cultivating higher ethical conduct.