Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Bhagavan Mahavira
dces not become attached or averse to them. This can be achieved in two dimensions. The first is not to get involved into the bandha of fresh karmas. This is called samvara. The second is to shed off the past karmas. This is called nirjarä. This process of samvara and nirjara does not allow fresh bandha to take place and liquidates the old bandha. This leads to mokṣa (emancipation). The soul becomes liberated in proportion to the reduction of bandha. A complete liquidation of bandha leads to complete emancipation. The Purpose of Metaphysics
The metaphysics in the context of religion is not an intellectual exercise. Its purpose is not merely to know, but is mokșă-to emancipate the soul. Bhagavan Mahāvīra laid down nine principles for the achievement of this purpose :(1) jīva, (2) ajīva, (3) puṇya, (4) pāpa, (5) āsrava, (6) saṁvara, (7) nirjară, (8) bandha and (9) mokṣa. Among these the first two, i.e., jiva and ajīva, have been conceived from the point of view of existence, i.e., they are metaphysical realities and the remaining are the parts of the process of bandha and mokṣa. Āsrava, bandha, punya and papa are the causes of the cycle of suffering. Samvara and nirjară are the causes of emancipation from this cycle. One who becomes completely emancipated from the cycle of suffering attains mokṣa. In other words, ātmā becomes paramātmā (supreme soul). The Doctrine of Karma
Bhagavan Mahāvīra propounded the doctrine of freedom of soul. The soul is not a part of paramātmā-God or Supreme Soul. It does not dissolve into paramātma after it has become emancipated. It maintains its independent existence in the state of bondage as well as liberation. In the 20th century, the intelligentsia are now considering Bhagavan Mahāvīra as a Saviour of mankind in the sense that he liberated the mankind from the mirage of dependence on others. He endowed man with the insight to tread the path of selfdependence and spiritual exertion. People who believed in: