Jain Theism

SR No.: 006509
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemant Shah
Publisher: Hemant Shah
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 218
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Religion
File Size: 10 MB

Page 55

36
Jain Theism
meditation but also in rough work essential for life."'!15 The relationship can very aptly be understood by interpreting the scene at the begining of the Bhagavat-Gitā and its two main characters. The scene consists of Lord Krisna (God) driving the war-chariot and Arjuna (soul) seated in it with bow and arrows, ready to fight. Both have a common mission, to destroy or to kill the evil, and for that both have a clear understanding which reflect each others relationship." The arrangement between them was that Arjuna would do all the fighting, while Śri Krişna would drive his chariot but would not take up arms at all during the course of war. This is very briefly the true nature of the partnership (relationship) between God and Man"]16 The symbolism of this scene if translated it would mean that God is always there to guide and inspire the soul, but then efforts, it may be a fight or struggling, will have to be done by the Soul. Moreover, we also find here that on one side Soul has freedom of the will to act and on other side the complete control over the chariot, in which Arjuna (soul) is and which symbolizes the Life, is in the hands of God.
Referring the same symbolic companionship of God and soul, Sri Aurobindo in his 'Essays on Gitā' says that both Arjuna and Krisna stand together as human and divine, in the chariot of battle.
In his book" The Real Enjoyment of Living "H. J. Schachtel says, “To me one of the most rewarding concepts in the teaching of Judaism is the description of man as God's partner in working out our world's salvation.” We may call this relationship the supreme partnership between God and soul working towards the thrilling goal of life. The relationship between God and soul is, in brief, that of partners or colabourers.
But then this relationship in some theistic religions is that of a master (God) and servant (Soul). As a result of this, automatically, the essence of such religion is seen in servant's (Soul's) loyalty, fidality, obedience in carrying out master's (God's) order or message. God is conceived here as a master who rewards or punishes his servants as per their work. But then this relationship, we find, superbly modified by Jesus Christ.
115. R. B. Lal, Religion in the Light of Reason and Science, (1978) p. 76 116.. Ibid., p. 76