Answer

In Jain Dharma, the 14 Abhyantar Parigraha means the 14 internal possessions or inner attachments.

These are not physical objects, but inner weaknesses and passions that bind the soul to karma.

The 14 Abhyantar Parigraha are:

• Mithyātva – wrong belief
• Strī-veda – sexual inclination toward female
• Puruṣa-veda – sexual inclination toward male
• Napuṃsaka-veda – sexual inclination of the neuter type
• Hāsya – excessive joking or ridicule
• Rati – liking, attachment, pleasure-seeking
• Arati – dislike, aversion, dissatisfaction
• Śoka – sorrow
• Bhaya – fear
• Jugupsā – disgust
• Krodha – anger
• Māna – pride
• Māyā – deceit
• Lobha – greed

Explanation

Parigraha means possession, attachment, or clinging. Usually people think of parigraha as external possessions like wealth, house, clothes, land, and objects. But Jain Dharma teaches that the deeper bondage is caused by inner possessions.

These inner possessions include:

• wrong faith,
• passions,
• emotional disturbances,
• sexual desires,
• likes and dislikes,
• fear, sorrow, anger, pride, deceit, and greed.

Even if a person owns very little externally, if the mind is full of anger, pride, greed, fear, attachment, or wrong belief, then internal parigraha is still present.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, liberation is achieved by purifying the soul from karmic bondage. The 14 Abhyantar Parigraha keep the soul attached to worldly life.

Among them, the most powerful are the four passions:

• Krodha – anger
• Māna – ego or pride
• Māyā – deceit
• Lobha – greed

These passions disturb equanimity and attract karma. Therefore, Jain practice emphasizes:

• right faith,
• self-control,
• forgiveness,
• humility,
• truthfulness,
• contentment,
• and detachment.

Takeaway

The 14 Abhyantar Parigraha are the inner attachments that bind the soul. Jain Dharma teaches that true renunciation is not only giving up external possessions, but also reducing inner passions and attachments.