Tattvartha Sutra

SR No.: 006796
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sukhlal Sanghavi, K K Dixit
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 596
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Tattvartha Sutra, & Tattvarth
File Size: 10 MB

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The Manners of Motion :
It has already been said that motion is of two types-viz. straight and curved. The straight motion is that in which while proceeding from the earlier place towards the new one the straight line is not broken-that is, in which there is not undertaken even a single turning. The curved motion is that in which while proceeding from the earlier place towards the new one the straight line is broken-that is, in which there is undertaken at least one turning. It has also been said that both soul and matter are entitled to both the types of motion in question. However, in the present context the main question relates to soul. The souls which leave an earlier place and proceed towards a new one are of two types. One type comprises such ones as proceed towards a new place after leaving for good all body, whether gross or subtle-they being called mucyamāna or those in the process of being emancipated. The other type comprises such souls as assume a new gross body after giving up the old one. At the time of transmigratory motion these latter type of souls are invariably accompanied by a subtle body and it is they who are designated worldly souls. The souls in the process of being emancipated proceed towards the affixed place of mokṣa by straight motion-not by curved one; for they get seated in that particular place of mokṣa which happens to lie in the direction of the straight line drawn from their earlier worldly place-not in one which even slightly deviates from the direction of this straight line. But in the case of a worldly soul there is no rule about the place of birth. Sometimes it so happens that the new place where it has to assume birth lies in the direction of the straight line drawn from its earlier place but sometimes it lies in the direction of a curved line drawn from the place. For the decisive factor determining the new place for rebirth is the earlier accumulated karma and such karma is of various sorts. That is why the worldly souls are entitled to both the straight and curved types of motion. The idea is that the souls proceeding towards a place of mokṣa undertake only the straight type of motion while those proceeding towards a new place for rebirth undertake both the straight and
TATTVĀRTHA SŪTRA