Atma Dharma

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

Page 28

( 21 ) which occur in it. It is a self-contained, self-dependent substance, different from matter and all other existing substances. In combination with matter, it is subject to all kinds of passions, emotions, thoughts, feelings, longings and desires, also to physical birth and death. ; otherwise it is a reality endowed with perfection in knowledge, happiness, energy, faith, immortality and purity of conduct, as Jainism clearly points out. Because of its innumerable natural perfections and especially of its divine excellence with respect to knowledge, which in its completeness implies nothing short of full perfect omniscience, and to its pure inborn joy that is unchanging and unabating as well as unexcelled in the three worlds, ---- it is because of these divine and Godly attributes residing within it that it is termed Paramátman, Parameshvara, Paramprabhu, Bhagwan and the like, all of which terms are expressive of our most exalted conceptions of Divinity and Godhood.
Our shortcomings, errors, defects, disbeliefs, wrongful actions, ignorance and sins are due to the impure condition of our souls which are being constantly corrupted and defiled by the pernicious association with and the influence of matter. The subtle compound resulting from the union of soul or spirit and matter is known as the karana