Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism

SR No.: 001617
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S C Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 272
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Epistemology, Nyay, & Spiritual
File Size: 16 MB

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210 :: Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism
almost mature. When the karma forces get subsided, they are, then, as good as non-existent, “The purity of the subsidential and destructive types of soul's manifestations is the same; but there is only this much of difference that in the former the destructive karmas exist, while in the latter no such karmas are there."2 This also explains the nature of the destructive manifestations. “The manifestation which appears on the total destruction of the obstructive karmas in the destructive one; and it is pure and natural.3 So the subsidential and destructive types of manifestation are quite similar on the functional side, but their structural sides are different because of the presence of karmas in case of the subsidential manifestations. Now the nomenclature adopted shows that in the determination of the aforesaid two types of manifestations the subsidence and the destruction of the karmas play the main role. But, when the karma-energies are not functioning, we must hold that the soul's powers are manifesting in an unobstructed way, and, so the manifestations are pure and natural. But as the soul's powers evince the negation of the corresponding karmas and as they had been so far affected by them, the spiritual manifestations of this type have been named after their negative traits.
The Kṣāyopaśamika (Destructive-Subsidential) Manifestations
The natural and pure powers of the soul being the positive elements, the consequent manifestations must be supposed to be determined by them. Subsidence or destruction of karmas is not directly responsible for such determination. The third type of the soul's manifestations has been described "as one which arises on the nonrealization (anudaya) of the totally destructive karmas and
1. Cf. Devanandin: Sarvārthasiddhi, p. 82 2. Umāsvāti: Sabhäsya Tattvārthāhigama-sūtra, p. 76 3. Rājamalla: Pañcādhyāyi, II, verse 965