Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 39

32: An Introduction to Jaina Sādhanā
tation of self. The Adhyātma-tattvāloka (41. 7) mentions that self is both the binding network of the phenomenal universe (saṁsāra) and salvation from it. It remains in bondage so long as it is conditioned by the Karmas and under the domination of senses and passions, but when it has full control over them, it is emancipated. In his commentary on Samayasāra (305) Acārya Amṛtacandrasūri says, "Emancipation (Mukti ) consists in the exclusion of para-dravya, i.e., Karma and the realisation of one's own real nature. Acārya Hemacandrasūri also maintains in his famous work Yogaśästra (415), "The self which is conditioned and overwhelmed by the senses is in bondage and the self, which has control over them, is called the emancipated or the enlightened one. In fact, the self being yoked to desires constitutes bondage and when the desires are shed, the self appears in its pristine purity, it is emancipated. The Jaina view of the spiritual goal is that it is within the aspirant and not outside. What is realised by spiritual practices is not an external object, but the full manifestion of one's inner potentialities. Potentialities of self remain same at the beginning of the quest and at its end; the difference lies in the realisation or actualisation of these potentialities. Just as a seed is capable of being developed into a tree, and it actualises his capability when it is realy grown in the form of a tree, similarly the soul (ātmā) which has the potentiality of being the Supreme-Soul (paramātmā), becomes perfect by realising its potentialities of infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss and infinite power. According to Jainism salvation lies in the full developement of our potentialities. The mission of Jainism is the realisation of the self through the self. The godhood which is already present in the self has to be manifested and the soul has to be brought to its purity. Thus the spiritual journey of soul starts from impure state of the soul and ends with the pure state of the soul (Śuddhātmā).