Brief life sketch of Atmaramji Maharaj

Author(s): S P Jain
Publisher: Z_Vijyanandsuri_Swargarohan_Shatabdi_Granth_012023.pdf

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*paryaya'. Paryaya can be many while the 'drvya' is one. Both are however inseparable. At the same time they give rise to difference. Thus both these aspects of a thing have to be accepted and Jain philosophy considers it logical and justified. Applying it to living beings, soul may be called drvya, while living beings in different shapes like human beings, animals, birds, fishes etc may be called 'Paryaya'. The soul performs good deeds or the bad deeds. Accordingly, it is born as angels or human beings or animals. Jainism prescribes the shedding of all deeds (Karma) in order to become the perfect and pure soul which is called 'Parmatma'. Once one attains this perfection, one is not born in the world, just as a parched gram does not have the power to germinate : so a soul after penance attains the perfect state. This in short is the philosophy of Anekantvad on the basis of which Jainism advocates Ahimsa or non-violence. As basically all living beings are souls which in the world appear differently according to their deeds, so they all are equal, and it does not behove the equal souls to be violent against one another. Thus Ahimsa in conduct and Anekantvad in philosphy constitute the essentials of Jainism.
In his meeting with the brother of king of Jodhpur, Shri Anand Vijayii said that Jainism is often dubbed as anti-Vedas, and athiest which is without any justification. To start with, he said that there are nine philosophical systems in India viz. Nayaya, Vaisheshak, Sar Meemansa, Vedanta, Buddhism, Jainism and Charvak. Out of these, the first six are classified as theist and the later three said to be athiest (Nastik). Now the question is 'what is the definition of the word 'Nastik'. He clarified that Nastik is one who does not believe in the existence of the soul and the other world. From this point of view, Jainism cannot be called 'Na stik' because it believes in both of these things. As far the question of anti-Vedic is concerned, well Jainism certainly does not accept Vedas as an authority, especially the part which is against non-violence. Jainism believes in 'Ahimsa Parmo Dharma' i.e. non-violence is the best of religion and certainly does not contribute to the maxim Vediki himsa himsa na bhavti' i.e. killing as permitted by Vedas is not violence or killing. In any case non-belif in the Vedas does not authorise anyone to call that person as heretic just as a man who does not believe in say Quran of the Muslims becomes kafir' or an heretic. As far non-belief in God is concerned, well Jainism does believe in God in the sense of a Perfect Soul (Parmatma) and all Jains pay homage and make obeisance to such God. But Jair not believe in God as the Creator of the Universe because doing so
Shri Vijyanand Suri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth