Mahavira Jayanti Smarika 1978

SR No.: 014024
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhanvarlal Polyaka
Publisher: Rajasthan Jain Sabha Jaipur
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 300
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 7 MB

Page 270

of a
nature
house, and the generation universe? Have you ever seen in any such situation as resembles the first arrangement of the elements? Have worlds ever been formed under your eye; and have you had leisure to observe the whole progress of the phenomenon, from the first appearance of order to its final consumation? If you have, then cite your experience, and deliver your theory."?
Further, it is when we conceive the world an the analogy of a pot, house or machine that we require an agent, but if we change the analogy, the demand for an agent will not arise. For example, the grass, trees, rainbows, clouds, etc., are products, but they are not produced by any agent. Similar may be the case with the universe. Just as a plant evolves automatically, likewise the phenomena of the universe may also have origin and decay spontaneously (Svatah srstivada). The same argument has been used by modern analysts to disprove the Tele logical argument for the eistence of God. They hold that the notion of creator God arises from the As the "misapplication of image." universe is pictured as a machine, there arises the necessity of God as mechanic. However, there image can te changed and that will lead to an altogether different con.lusion. Accor
a
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ding to J.J.C. Smart, "If we press the analogy of the universe to a plant, instead of a machine, we get to a very different conclusion. And why should the one analogy be regarded any better or worse than the other?"8
(3) God, ex-hypothesie, is eternal and above all changes. If God is beyond all actions, He cannot be the creator, because creation involves activity. Without 'selective knowlege' and 'will to create', creation is not possible. But these cannot be in a timeless reality. Moreover, if God does not change, He cannot also be discovered.9
(4) The theists say that creation took place by the will of the Lord. "I should be many "(Ekoham bahusyamah) is the motive behind creation. But the Jainas argue that desire is the sign of want. God who is absolute and is in His eternal bliss, will not have any want and hence there cannot be any motive to become many
(5) Further, creation and destruction involve af ection (Raga) because there cannot be without any motive. But if God has affection and some such vices, He cannot be God. And if He is without affection, He cannot create. So either God is not God or He cannot be a Creator. This is the dilemma involved in the conception of God and His creatorship.
महावीर जयन्ती स्मारिका 78