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Concept of Consciousness In Jainism
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Consciousness as Sañjňā
An instinct desire or sañjňā also indicate consciousness in a living being. There are four famous sañjñās - 1. Eagerness for food (āhāra sañjñā) 2. Feeling of fear (bhaya sañjñā) 3.Sexual desire (maithuna sanjñā) 4. Desire of possessiveness (parigraha sañjñā). These four sañjñās are experienced in every living being including in the plants. Every living being feels hunger and wants to take food. It makes an effort for gaining food. The feeling of fear is also a characteristic of worldly living beings. All living beings fear from death, harm etc. This fear is found only in the worldly soul. Sexual desire is also a phenomenon of consciousness. This desire may have three forms - 1. Desire of intercourse of a male with female. 2. Desire of intercourse of a female with male. 3. Sexual desire of hermaphrodite. This is a desire of reproduction. Possessiveness is also found in conscious beings. Human beings, insects and even plants bear this phenomenon. The non-living things do not bear these four sañjñās. Consciousness as Vedanā
Vedanā is another technical term of Jainism, which denotes an experience of happiness and sorrow, coldness and hotness etc. by a living being. This 'vedanā' is felt on the level of mind and body. It may be a result of the karma-bondage. Pleasure or comfort may be felt through five sense organs and mind. Consciousness as Vīrya
Enthusiasm (vīrya) is also a significant nature of consciousness. A living being feels enthusiasm with in him to
