Jaina Epistemology

SR No.: 006738
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 516
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

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Epistemology of Jainas
The mundane souls are divided into two groups of Vyavahāra rāśi and Avyavahāra rāśi. Avyavabāra rāśi means the multitude of souls which bave not come out of their lowest state of consciousness. The kingdon where they are lying from the time immemorial. It is a reservoir of souls living in infinite number with one body. It is never exhausted. The Vyavabāra rāśi means the multitude of jivas that have come out from that reservoir and are wandering up and down in the world. They occupy one body each. The conception of avyavahāra rāfi is comparable with the state of equilibrium of Praksti in the Sankhya and undisturbed state of Ālayavijñāna in Buddhism.
It is co-extensive with the Body :
We have already discussed different views regarding the size of soul. There are meny other conceptions, which are as old as the Upanisads. They show that the Jaina is not the only upholder of the middle size. Below, we give a brief survey of these views :
(1) The Kausitaki Upanişad refers to the view that the soul is co-extensive with the body it occupies. 1 It states that just as a sword pervades the sheath and fire the fire-pit so the soul pervades the body upto nails and hair. Jainas also hold the same view.
(2) Bịhadāraṇyaka mentions that the soul is as big as a grain of rice or barley.2
(3) Kathopaņisad state, another view that it is as big as the thumb.8
(4) Chāndogya holds it as big as the span of thumb or the fore-finger.4
1. Kausitaki 4.20 2. Brhadāraṇyaka 5.6.1 3. Katho 4.12 4. Chāndogya.