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 47

interposing His righteous will for the establishment of the right after the periods of darkness. Now, we shall discuss the concept of divinity in six chief philosophical systems namely, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta. 1. Nyaya system:
A realistic philosophy based on logic, has the contribution of Nyaya Sutra the work of Gautama. According to Nyaya, the cause of the world is God Divinity:98 Besides God, Nyaya philosophy also believes in the theory of karma. i.e., actions of man, and no fruit appears without the action of man.99 In Gautama's Nyaya Sutra, we observe that Ishvara is the cause of universe including the action of man. 100 Vachaspati views that Brahma is the material cause of the world. Further, Udayana also views that God is the efficient cause of the world. Neither the true knowledge nor the highest end of liberation can be attained by an individual being of this universe without the grace of Ishvara, the supreme Divinity.
According to Nyaya theory, God maintains continuous relations with the world (being conceived as not only as the creator, but as its maintainer and destroyer).101 Every event must have its cause. Hence, one's joys and sorrows are the results of adrishta which itself is the result of good or bad actions. Adrishta is an unintelligent principle which is led by some intelligent agency, who is Eternal, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Divine being. Ishvara is the super power controlling the Adrishta, dispenses the fruit of actions in terms of joys and sorrows. It is worthwhile to note the view of the Ganesha — a modern Nyaya thinker, “It is said that the best person is the Supreme Soul; He having created the three worlds protects them, without, in any way, himself diminishing”. 102
The Supreme Divine being is above the law of karma which determines the kind of existence of ordinary souls; therefore, He is neither bound or released from it because he was never bound.103 It is with the grace, favour of the Supreme Di
THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM