Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
The very birth of the concept of the soul gave rise to subtle theories like 'Mind-Soulism', 'Sense-Soulism' (which includes 'Single-Sense-Soulism' and 'Collective-Sense-Soulism'), 'Life-Soulism', 'Son-Soulism', and 'Self-Soulism'. Similarly, Vedic thinkers, through the Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Sankhya-Yoga, Mimamsa, and Advaita Vedanta, engaged in various speculative inquiries about the soul, leading to detailed discussions on numerous elements like 'Dharma', 'Chetan', 'Karma', 'Dev', 'Maya', 'Brahma', 'Jiva', 'Jad', 'Purusha', 'Prakriti', etc.
In Jain philosophy, taking into account the etymology of 'Atma' as 'Ati/Gachhati iti Atma' (meaning 'that which goes'), the grammatical convention of interpreting the verb 'Gaman' (to go) as 'Jnana' (knowledge) is accepted. This leads to the interpretation that 'Atma' is that which 'abides in qualities like knowledge, etc., or exists in totality with the triad of 'Utpada' (production), 'Vyaya' (destruction), and 'Dhrauvya' (stability).
Jain philosophers have considered the soul from numerous perspectives, which is why Jain philosophy is also known as 'Anekanta Darshan' (philosophy of many-sidedness). The primary characteristic of the soul is its 'Chaitanya Swaroop' (conscious nature). According to Jainism, other characteristics include: 'Chaitanya Swaroop: Parinama Karma Karta Sakshat Bhokta Deha Parimaan: Pratikshetra Bhinna: Paudgalikadrishtavanchayam' (Conscious, transformative, doer, direct experiencer, having a body, different in each field, and possessing perception of matter).
The synonym for 'Atma' is 'Jiva', and its fundamental analysis is as follows:
Jain philosophy's 'Atma Shastra' (science of the soul) is extremely subtle and its examination is entirely scientific. While various philosophers acknowledge the existence of the soul, some do not accept its 'plurality, eternality, or agency-liberation, etc.' However, Jain philosophy considers the soul to be eternal and indestructible. Regarding the existence of the soul, Vardhaman Mahavira, through the sutra 'Jivo Uvago Lakkhano', has shown the path to its identification.
Jain scholars use the term 'Jiva' as a synonym for the soul, which signifies life, vital force, and consciousness. The soul is called 'Jiva' because it possesses the quality of life in all three times (past, present, and future). Based on 'life', ten types of 'Pran' (vital breaths) are described. This is a practical perspective. From the perspective of certainty, anything that possesses 'Chetana' (consciousness) is 'Jiva'. According to Jain philosophy, the characteristic of 'Jiva' is 'Upayoga' (function). Function is the consequential result of consciousness. It has two divisions: 'Jnana' (knowledge) and 'Darshan' (perception), and the holder of both is called 'Jiva'. Like inanimate matter, 'Jiva' also has 'Pradesh' (region) and 'Avayava' (parts), which is why it is called 'Astikaya' (having a body).
There is continuous transformation within it, yet it does not abandon its original form/qualities. The synonyms 'Utpada', 'Vyaya', and 'Dhrauvya' are always found in it. Due to these reasons, 'Jiva' is:
Utt. A. 28, Ga. 11
1. (a) Nana cha Dansana cha Charitta cha Tavo taha.
Viriyam Uvago ya eyam Jivassa Lakkhanam || (b) Brihad Dravya Sangrah - 57
Pramananaya-Tattvalok, 7-56 3. a. Utt. A. 28, Ga. 10
b. Upayogo Lakshanam - Tattvarth Sutra A. 2, Su. 8
Tattvarth Rajavartika, 147 5. Tattvarth Rajavartika, 281 6. Utpada Vyaya Dhrauvya Yuktam Sat. - Tattvarth Sutra A. 5, Su. 29
[ 24 ]