Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 533

A BRIEF SURVEY OF JAIN LITERATURE.... 515 of all the powers which lie latent in one's soul-the embodiment of infinite darsana (right faith, vision) jnana (Knowledge), virya (Energy) and sukha (Bliss). It does not accept the popular notion of God as one who creates, protects and destroys the world, who bestows reward and gives punishment and thus intervenes in the affairs of the world. The world is eternal without a beginning or an end. It is made up of six dravyas (substances) which are uncreated and indestructible. These are : (1) jiva (Soul) characterised by consciousness (2) pudgala (Matter) which is devoid of consciousness and which can be touched, tasted, seen, and smelt (3) dharma (Principle of Motion) (4) adharma (Principle of Rest) (5) akasa (Space) which includes our universe and the Beyond (loka and aloka). The five substances are found in the universe only. (6) Kala (time) is the cause or circumstance of the modification of soul and other substances. (ii) The Five Astikayas Of these, the first five are called astikayas (Magnitudes) having constituent parts. Time is the only continuous substance which does not consist of many pradesas (space-points). It has only one pradesa. Hence it is not included among the astikayas (Magnitudes). (iii) Eight Kinds of Karma The most important among these magnitudes are the following two : Soul and Matter. The other four dravyas are a sort of setting for these two. Matter is moulded by the soul. The connection of these two is material and beginningless, and it is caused by the soul's activity. The karma binds the soul to the samsara. The eight kinds of karma are: (1) Jnanavaraniya, that which obscures knowledge (2) Darsanavaraniya, that which obscures faith or intuition (3) Antaraya--, that which obstructs the inborn energy of the soul (4) Mohaniya-, that which deludes or infatuates. These four are called ghati-karmas (destructive karmas). (5) Nama, determines the character of one's body, one's size, complexion height, etc., (6) Ayuh-, determines the duration of existence (7) Gotra , determines the high or low family and nationality (8) Vedaniya-, produces pain or pleasure. The last four are called aghati (non-destructive) karmas. (iv) Lesyas Another doctrine connected with the karma-theory is that of the six lesyas. The karmic influx into the soul gives it a colour or tint which cannot be perceived by our eyes. There are six suck colours : black, blue, grey, red, lotuspink and white. They have a moral bearing for the lesya indicates the character of the individual who owns it. The first three belong to bad characters