________________
150
JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
The result was the growth of a mass of theology that tended to overshadow the scientific hypothesis, which it was designed to fortify.49
The atoms can act only when, prior to beginning of creation, they are controlled by an intelligent being. God creates the world for the sake of making the beings experience the fruits of their past deeds. The creation and destruction of the world follows one another in regular order. The periodic dissolution is brought about by God's desire to re-absorb the whole creation within him. These are the natural overgrowths rising from the momentum, which the conception of God acquired when admitted into the system.
(c) Refutation of Concept of God as World's Creator in the
Early Vedic Texts Rgveda, Atharvaveda, Kathopanișad and Gitā
The Rgveda Mandala X.129 presents a doubtful attitude towards the creation of world by Supreme God, as oppose to hymn of Mandala X.121 which narrates account of the creation of the
world. 50
This is exactly the theory of a later hymn of Mandala X.129 called the Nāşadīya-sūkta (hymn), which is translated by Max Muller.
There was then neither what is not, nor there was no sky, nor the heaven, which is beyond. What covered? Where was it, and in whose shelter? Was the water the deep abyss (in which it lay)?
There was no death, hence was there nothing immortal. There was no light (distinction) between night and day. That one breathed by itself without breath, other than it there has been nothing.
Chattopadhyaya, D. P., “Indian Atheism”, Calcutta 1970, P-254-7 S'Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, “Indian Philosophy”, Vol.1, P-100
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org