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[There is only one elemental self stationed in each and every being (bhūta) and it appears as one or many like the reflection of the moon in water], even then the other-world could not be established. This Ātman being all-pervading and inactive would be present in all bodies everywhere like the ether and hence would not be able to move, and hence the question of going to other-world' does not arise (1954).
The world of gods, of hellish beings, etc. can be said to be ‘other-world' from the point of view of the world of human beings, but it is not perceived. Metārya's arguments naturally lead him to deny the other-world; but there are references to the existence of the other-world in the Vedas, and hence Metārya's doubt as to its existence or otherwise (1955).
Mahavira proceeds to dispel this doubt of his. Consciousness is an attribute of the soul which is different from the material elements, sense-organs, etc. and this soul (ātman) is eternal from the point of view of the basic substance on account of remembrance of previous birth, etc. and non-eternal from the point of view of the modes. This point has been discussed earlier with Vayubhuti (1956).
It is not proper to accept one all-pervading, inactive atman, since there are differences of characteristics as in the case of jar; so like the many jars, etc. we must accept many souls. This has been discussed at length with Indrabhūti. Upayoga (conscious activity) is the characteristic of the soul. This upayoga is seen to be diverse on account of the infinite different transformations occasioned by likes-dislikes, passions and objects, etc.. So their substrate, ātman too must be accordingly infinite in number. The ätman is confined to the body, it cannot be all-pervading, as its qualities are found only within the body; the sensation of touch, to take a parallel instance, is found all over the body but not elsewhere, so the sense-organ of touch is said to be co-extensive with the body, but is not said to be elsewhere also. The soul again cannot be inactive, because like Devadatta, it is an enjoyer. This too has been discussed with
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