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68
RATIONAL BEINGS
Now the two classes of the five-sensed beings are mentioned.
ilsta: ETHET: Samjñinaḥ samanaskāḥ
(24) 24. The five-sensed beings with minds are called samjñi jivas.
The mind has been described. Those that are endowed with minds are called rational beings (samjñi jivas). From this it follows that all other transmigrating beings are not endowed with minds. It is contended that the attribute 'samanaskāḥ' is unnecessary, as the meaning is indicated by 'samjñinah' itself. For instance, the function of the mind is the investigation of the means of attaining good and avoiding evil.
Samjñā also is the same. But it is not so. The word samjñā is used in many senses. Samjñā means name. Those who have names are samjñinaḥ. Thus it would extend to all. If samjñā means knowledge, then also it would extend to all living beings, as all are possessed of knowledge. If desire for food etc, is meant by samjñā, it is all the same. Hence it is mentioned specifically 'those with minds'. By this, even in the absence of the functioning of the mind--discriminating between good and evil-in embryonic stage, in fainted state and in sleep, it is proper to call those endowed with minds as rational beings (samjñi jīvas).
The work of discriminating between good and evil is possible only with the functioning of the mind. If so, what kind of action is possible for the soul that has left the old body for a new one and is without mind ?
विग्रहगतौ कर्मयोगः
Vigrahagatau karmayogāḥ . (25) 25. In transit from one body to another, (there is) vibration of the karmic body only.
Vigraha is body. Motion for the sake of body is vigrahagati. Or vigraha is obstructed state or condition. (In the course of transit from one body to another), though karma is taken, quasi-karma (nokarma) matter is blocked. Motion with this blocking is called vigrahagati. The karmic body which is the
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