Concept of Divinity in Jainism

SR No.: 001637
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P Ajay Kothari
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 248
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Devotion
File Size: 15 MB

Page 121

Transmigration
The cycle of rebirth depends on the karma attached to the self. The self takes the form, since it is in a bondage and lives in samsara. Samsara means transmigration-cycle of rebirth, change of form (parivartan). The word samsara is derived from, the root 'sr' which means to follow together with; going about; walking or wandering through; passing through a succession of states; birth and rebirth of living beings. Thus, the word samsara means going or wandering under going transmigration; course; passage; passing through a succession of states; circuit of mundane existence; transmigration; metempsychosis; the world; worldly illusion.182 In the Dhavala, the commentary on Shatkhandagama, we observe that samsara is the cluster of deeds covering the self, due to various deeds, the jiva travels in the four states of exist
183
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The four states 184 of existence denote the samsara having sharira (body) with pleasure, pain, desire etc. When the jiva is released from all karmas, samsara puts an end to transmigration and attains the pure state of existence, the Siddhagati. 185 Wherein there is no pleasure, pain, misery, but, eternal bliss, divinity.
A self with karma wanders in four gatis. A jiva (after death) from manushya gati, according to karma, may obtain life in devagati or tiryaggati or narakagati or manushya gati or even Siddhagati (when the transmigration comes to an end). 186 A soul from tiryaggati can transmigrate to manushya gati or devagati or naraka gati or even tiryaggati.187 A soul from deva gati can transmigrate to tiryaggati or manushya gati.188 A soul from naraka gati can transmigrate to tiryaggati or manushya gati.189
In the aforesaid modes of transmigration, Jains believe that jiva is embodied. The bodies are of five kinds 190: i) Audarik: A physical body having blood and bone, and is produced by a birth out of womb or by way of agglutination. It is possessed by humans and animals. ii) Vaikriyik: It is a body produced by way of
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