Book Title: Atmatatva Vichar Or Philosophy Of Soul
Author(s): Vijaylakshmansuri, Ghanshyam Joshi, Kirtivijay Gani
Publisher: Mohanlal D Mehta
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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
57
Thus general vegetable-bodied souls are infinite. Any number of souls added to these souls cannot affect the number. We should hereby understand that the number of souls is Madhyama Anantananta.
These worldly activities are going on since the times immemorial and the liberation of the souls of the world is also going on, and therefore a question would naturally arise whether one day this world would completely be devoid of souls? The answer to the question lies in the flowing stanza.
“Whenever a question arises in Jain philosophy as to how many souls have been liberated till today, then it is replied that infinite part of one Nigoda has been liberated."
This implies that infinite number of souls when subtracted from infinite number of souls, the result is infinite number of souls and therefore this world would never be devoid of souls.
These matters are very subtle to understand but the contact with the right type of preceptor unveils the curtain of ignorance. This can be allegorically explained by quoting the example of iron casket turning into gold when the same is contacted with the Parasa Jewel (Jewel which turns iron into gold by contact).
PARASA JEWEL
A monk had a Parasa Jewel which could turn iron into gold by contact. The Mayor of the city when came to know this, he closed down all his activities, and started serving and worshipping the monk. He arranged for dining, sleeping etc., with the monk. He got up early before the monk did so and started serving him. He very zealously served the monk by preparing his bed, his meals etc., but actually speaking the Mayor was serving the Parasa Jewel and not the monk. Temptation enslaves the man.
The monk was very shrewd and he silently observed everything. Twelve years passed away. The monk was pleased with the Mayor's services and he said, “I am pleased with your services. So you can ask me for anything you like."
The Mayor said, "Give me the Parasa Jewel.”
The monk said, "Alright! It lies there in that bag in an iron casket. Bring that bag here."
