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DISCOURSE
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THE TREASURE OF SOUL (contd.)
Gentlemen!
Numerous diamonds lie concealed in the ocean of Jain scriptures and Shri Uttaradhyayana Sutra is one of them. Pure rays of light shoot forth from its every chapter and they afford excellent guidance to the souls craving for final beautitude. Thirty-sixth chapter is dealing with the transmigratory soul taking birth in this world. Thus we proceeded to discuss in details the nature of soul; thereupon we thought about immortality of soul, indivisibility of soul, quantity of infinite number of souls and now we are deliberating on the treasures of soul.
The soul is possessed of infinite power as it is possessed of infinite knowledge. Medical science explains Veerya (power) as semen but here in the context, we have to understand Veerya as power or energy--the energy to act, to function. This energy enables the soul to perform any action like eating, drinking, sleeping, rising, sitting, walking, running, thinking, talking, enjoying, observing religious rites etc. etc. Soul devoid of this energy would be devoid of any of these actions.
Lifeless bodies are motivated for action by mechanical means but this action is simply mechanical without instinct, thought, feelings and will. There is only continuous motion which ceases when the supply of energy is discontinued. But the action infused by soul has instinct, thought, feelings and will and therefore there is variety in its actions.
A toy-dog might run under mechanical key but cannot make movements at will like a living dog. A living dog would express its sense of joy by twagging the tail, raising the ears and extending the tongue out from the mouth. A toy-dog cannot perform anything of the sort.
Living beings, animals and human beings can move of their own accord and reach their destination; but lifeless mechanical contrivances cannot do so. An automobile vehicle can move or run
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