Elusive Consciousness

Author(s): Narendra Bhandari, Surendrasingh Pokharana, Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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The concept of elementary excitations can also explain the phenomena of phase transitions. Thus different phases of helium have been tried to explain in terms of elementary excitation picture. Similar situation occurs here in this theory also. There are fourteen stages known as Gunasthānas which have been recognized in this theory which one passes before acquiring the perfect consciousness starting from a state of highest sinfulness. These have been nicely explained in terms of various karmas and their mutual interaction. 3. CURRENT MODELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND CONCEPT OF
SOUL IN JAINISM:
In view of these problems, one finds that theory of knowledge through consciousness as described in various schools of thought in Indian philosophy seem to be very promising. In particular the Jains have defined knowledge as an essence of soul. According to their conception of Jains, a perfect soul has infinite knowledge, infinite intuition, infinite bliss and infinite power. (Mehta 1970) Although perfect soul has other characteristics but the knowledge has been regarded as the chief characteristic of soul. Kundakunda has stated that although from the empirical point of view there is a difference between soul and knowledge yet from the transcendental point of view it is sufficient to say that soul is knower and nothing else. He further said that there is no difference between the knower and his knowledge. From empirical point of view an omniscient (Kevali i.e. perfect soul) perceives and knows the whole of reality and from the transcendental point of view he perceives and knows nothing. This infinity includes five types of knowledge viz. Shruta Jnana, Mati Jnana, Avadhi Jnana (clairvoyance), Manhaparyaya jnana (telepathy)and Keval Jnana. The third and four are extra sensory perceptions. When a person becomes a kevali, all four types of knowledge disappear and he acquires absolute knowledge that is keval jnana, through which he perceives all characteristics of all systems in the Universe, in past, present and future, nothing is unknown to him. However, every mundane soul can attain an infinite knowledge, infinite intuition, infinite bliss and infinite powder (Four infinities). But from an infinite time in the past, it has been infected by matter. This matter has been held responsible for the disorder present in the mundane souls. This form of matter has been termed as Karma. (The word Karma in Jainism does not mean work). The whole universe is full of that kind of matter which can become Karma. Due to the presence of different types or karmas in different quantities, different characteristics arc
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