In Jain Dharma, Anupreksha (अनुप्रेक्षा) means deep contemplation or reflection. Usually when we say “Anupreksha” we mean the classic 12 Bhāvanā / 12 Anuprekshā that help in developing detachment and right vision (samyak darshan).

Below are the 12 Anupreksha with simple meanings:

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1. Anitya Anupreksha – Impermanence (अनित्य भावना)

Everything in this world is temporary – body, relations, wealth, status. Thinking on this reduces attachment and pride.

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2. Asharana Anupreksha – No Real Shelter (अशरण भावना)

In the final sense, no one can protect us from our own karma – not relatives, not gods, not even Tirthankars. Only our own right effort (samyak puruṣārtha) is our real refuge.

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3. Samsara Anupreksha – Misery of Worldly Existence (संसार भावना)

From beginningless time, the soul has wandered in birth–death–old age–disease in countless forms. Thinking on this creates vairaagya (dispassion) towards worldly pleasures.

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4. Ekatva Anupreksha – Aloneness of the Soul (एकोत्व भावना)

Ultimately I am alone as a soul. No one takes birth with me, no one dies with me, no one shares my karma. This reduces blind dependence on others and increases self-responsibility.

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5. Anyatva Anupreksha – Otherness from Body & Possessions (अन्यत्व भावना)

“I am soul, not this body, mind, name, family, wealth.” Body and belongings are other (anya); I am separate (atman). This helps in inner detachment.

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6. Asuchi / Ashuddhi Anupreksha – Impurity of the Body (अशुचि / अशुद्धि भावना)

The body is made of blood, flesh, bones, waste etc., always changing and decaying. By seeing its real nature, attachment to the body and physical beauty becomes less.

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7. Asrava Anupreksha – Inflow of Karma (आस्रव भावना)

Through passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed) and careless activities, new karmas flow into the soul. Contemplating this makes us alert: “I should stop the causes that bring in new karma.”

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8. Samvara Anupreksha – Stopping Karma (संवर भावना)

By right conduct, restraint, vows, carefulness, meditation, etc., we can block new karmas from entering. This gives confidence that liberation is possible through proper effort.

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9. Nirjara Anupreksha – Shedding Karma (निर्जरा भावना)

Through austerities (tapas), repentance, forgiveness, right meditation and pure conduct, bound karmas get destroyed. We think: “By purifying myself, my karmas can be finished.”

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10. Loka / Lokasvabhava Anupreksha – Nature of the Universe (लोक / लोकस्वभाव भावना)

The universe (loka) is fixed in structure, with fixed regions and types of beings; souls wander within it according to their own karma, not by any creator-god. Understanding this removes belief in a creator and strengthens faith in karma law.

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11. Bodhi-durlabha Anupreksha – Rarity of Right Faith & Knowledge (बोधि दुर्लभ भावना)

It is extremely rare to get:

• human birth,
• opportunity to hear true Jain Dharma,
• and develop right faith–knowledge–conduct.

Thinking on its rarity inspires us not to waste this life.

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12. Dharma / Tattva Anupreksha – Contemplation on True Dharma (धर्म / तत्त्व भावना)

True dharma is right faith, right knowledge, right conduct based on the nine tattvas (jiva, ajiva, asrava, bandha, samvara, nirjara, punya, papa, moksha). We reflect on these principles and resolve to live according to them.

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Small Difference in Traditions

• Śvetāmbara: usually list them as above, with Loka and Dharma Anupreksha.
• Digambara: often use the same ideas, sometimes under slightly different names, e.g. Lokasvabhāva instead of Loka, and sometimes emphasize Tattvānupreksha (contemplation on the tattvas) in place of Dharmānupreksha.

Essence is same in both: These 12 Anuprekshas are daily reflections to reduce attachment and passions, and to move the soul towards samyak darshan and moksha.