________________
in nature. Each soul when it is perfect is God”.!! Thus, every soul is potentially ‘Divine'. What is needed is its full unfolding of its inherent nature for which, one has to be totally free from all karmic particles and thereby, the supreme attributes of divinity are enlightened. Soul (Potential Divine) and Karma
Whatever difference, heights and falls, pleasure and pain are seen in the souls (jivas) are not caused by Ishvara but by karma. Karma-phala is not granted to him by God. He (the jiva) himself suffers (or enjoys) the consequences of his own doings. As a spider weaves its own web and then gets caught in the same, no one else is responsible for its bondage, so also a jiva himself does good or bad actions (shubhashubha-karma) and himself suffers (or enjoyes) the fruits of those doings. As he sow's so does he reap. The karmas which a jiva binds himself with, have to be enjoyed (or suffered). Jivas are free at the time of allowing or not allowing ourselves to be bound by karma but once they (selves) get bound by karma they have to suffer (or enjoy) the consequences. There is no escape from them merely because they (including celestial beings) desire otherwise. Bhagavan Mahavira says. “There is no escape from the karma already floated” (Kadana kammana na mokkha atthi).'3 Celestial Beings and Karma
Jainism believes that the celestial beings Bhava Devas (or Deva in short) are also bound by karmas and enjoy some super human power but not omnipotence, etc.14 They are subject to rebirth. These beings not free from karma. pay homage to the Liberated Beings, Supreme Divinities who have annihilated all karmas. Thus, these heavenly beings however luminous, are not Divine Beings in Jain religion. In Jainism, Devas are referred to as progressive spiritually developed beings and not as a supreme beings. Now we shall discuss in brief about the Devas.
THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
