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Cardinal truths (Sh shvat Satya)
App1 so paramapp : Bhagy1n Mah1vir
Cardinal Truths, nature of soul
Powers of soul, Interaction of Jiva and Ajiva
seven reals,
Types of Ajiva (Space, matter, Dharm stik1y, Adharm1stiky, time)
Jainism firmly believes that a human being has infinite potential. All the procedures and theories have been propounded to develop this potential fully. The "cardinal truth" on which Jainism has based its theories is the existence of soul. If soul is a myth, then the pyramid of Jainism is without foundation and can not be sustained. Since the soul is non-physical, one can verify its existence only by its assigned characteristics (nature). Therefore it is necessary to describe its properties. According to Jainism, soul has infinite properties'. Jainism takes the approach that every characteristic of Jiva or Ajiva is a consequence of an inherent power. Therefore, to have infinite characteristics, the soul has to have infinite types of powers. Four primary powers amongst them are:
(i) Jivatva shakti: power to exist for ever i.e. immortality, it is eternal (shashvat) (ii) Chitti shakti (consciousness) or "anant chetanya", (iii) Drishti shakti: soul is an observer or knower, and (iv) Sarvajna shakti; power to know everything (Anant jn1n or omniscience). Six other equally important characteristics of soul are (v) anant virya (infinite bio-energy or omnipotence), (vi) sarva vy pakatva, omnipresence (vii) Anant, nanda (pure and infinite Bliss), (viii) Anekatva (multi facedness), (ix) Vibhutva, all properties (shaktis) co-exist in the soul at the same time and (x) sarva
1. Samaysar of Kundakunda describes 47 main properties of the soul. See Hukam Chand Bharill's book (47 Shaktiyan, Pandit Todarmal Sarvodaya Trust, Bapunagar, Jaipur).
