Systems of Indian Philosophy

SR No.: 002019
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 212
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Philosophy
File Size: 10 MB

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THE SYSTEMS OF INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
not know itself, because knowledge implies comparing one with another, and if that is not done there is no ndividuality. We say therefore that the soul in its highest existence knows that it is perfectly separate from other things so far as experience and knowledge are concerned, but in so far as its nature is concerned, so long as there is a sense of separateness, there is no occasion or opportunity for the soul to rise higher because when the soul thinks that it is living a different existence for its own sake it is considering its own self to be different from another person and thinks that this is its own and a part of its nature, its own being, and therefore anything done in regard to these surroundings will benefit or injure its own. It even thinks that its very life consists in doing good and in loving other souls and taking active measures for carrying into effect the very plan of that sole (those souls?). Then it comes higher, and ultimately reaches the highest condition. The condition of the soul, as I have said, is the highest in which there is perfect consciousness, there is infinite knowledge and infinite bliss; we express these three ideas in Sanskrit as existence infinite, bliss infinite and knowledge infinite. That condition of the soul cannot be described by us because description is something which proceeds from a finite mind and when the soul becomes infinite no finite mind can fully express the conditions of that infinite state. The attributes we give therefore to that condition of the soul are always full of comprehension.10
9. The exact import of the argument Gandhi adduces in this
sentence and the next is not quite clear. May be he is distinguishing between the sense of separateness' felt by one who is enlightened and that felt by one who is not, further subdividing the latter into the sense of separateness' felt by one who is of a 'self-regarding' disposition and
that felt by one who is of an 'other-regarding' disposition. 10. The phrase 'full of comprehension' means full of implied
meanings'.