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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
is the use of knowing the nature of Karmas ?" But such argument is not proper. As we should know well the exact nature of an entity for the progress of the soul, we must equally know well the exact nature of an entity responsible for the degradation of soul. Those who strive for good health are expected to know the nature of the disease, lest they would fail to protect themselves from the same disease. A commander of an army ought to know fully well about a fort if he intends to blow it off.
Having borne in mind this point of view the authors of the sacred scriptures have equally devoted themselves to the elucidation of the nature of Karmas as they did for the elucidation of the nature of "Soul”. Jain scriptures describe Karmas at various places. One of the Purvas was specially devoted to the description of the nature of Karmas.
Moreover, Agrayaniya Purva also contained lot of discussions about "Karma" from which Shivasarmasuri has composed a chapter named “Karma Prakruti”, comprising of stanzas in Prakrit. Shri Malayagiri Maharaj and Shrimad Yashovijayji Maharaj have written very beautiful commentaries on the same treatise. In ancient times there existed about six treatises providing basic knowledge about “Karmas". They are famous as "Karma Granthas." Relying on these works Shri Devendra Maharaja established five new treatises on "Karma" and Shri Chandra Mahattaracharya established one more treatise viz. Saptatika on "Karma". Short summaries relying on these five new treatises on "Karma" do exist in Gujarati written by Shri Jeenavijayji Maharaj and Shri Yeshasomaguni. Still much more literature is contributed to "Karma" and therein lies a treatise named "Panchasangraha" written by Shri Chandrarishi Mahattara which is worth noting.
But how many of you have devoted themselves to the study of these treatises on "Karmas"? Formerly there existed good number of students among house-holders who studied Karma treatises and asked very ingenious queries to the religious preachers. This pleased the preachers and they were proud to find their interest. Consequently they fully clarified their doubts. But today, there are not even a few students to put such queries before us. Still we are happy to find your interest in this matter. We shall deal with this very topic for a few days and we shall place before you the extracts of all the materials relevant to the said topic. If you attend
