Atmatatva Vichar Or Philosophy Of Soul

SR No.: 023322
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vijaylakshmansuri, Ghanshyam Joshi, Kirtivijay Gani
Publisher: Mohanlal D Mehta
Publication Year: 1963
Total Pages: 568
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 39 MB

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DiscourSE VI
THE NUMBER OF SOULS
Gentlemen,
We are proceeding with the discussions on 'soul from the thirtysixth chapter of Shri Uttaradhyayana Sutra. By daily listening to them you are justifying yourselves as 'Shravaka’, because Shravaka is defined as one who listens to Lord Jina's preachings. But listening should be followed with proper thinking and digesting the precepts you hear.
The word 'Shravaka' is also explained as "Shra" meaning Shraddha (faith), "Va" meaning "Viveka” (discrimination) and 'Ka' means Kriya (actual practice). Thus "Shrayaka" means one who listens to the preachings and actually puts into practice with discrimination. Therefore whatever you listen, listen with faithwith staunch faith in authenticity of Lord Jina's commands. Now discrimination decides what is acceptable, what is knowable and what is to be discarded. After discrimination begin to put into practice what is worthy of practice.
The omniscient lords declared, "Know one, and you know everything." Therefore, try to know and understand the nature of soul and you know everything.
We have discussed at length the problems of existence of soul, inborn and immortal nature of soul, different births which the souls undergo to reap the fruits of actions, and the indivisible nature of soul. Now we discuss the problem of the number of souls.
Some hold, “There is only one soul (Brahma) in the entire universe and there is nothing else beyond Brahma.". But then why do we realise this whole world as full of various entities, manipulations and multiplicities?” we would like to ask them. They reply, “The reason is illusion (Maya)." "Now this would amount to accepting Maya as any other entity beyond Brahma.”
"But then whence did this Maya originate ?” They would retort, "Out of ignorance" "But then ignorance or illusion both mean the same."
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