Jain Journal 1990 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 41

Beginning of Bandha with Special
Reference to Jaina Philosophy
KAMALA JOSHI
The soul in samsāra is associated with some of its material limiting adjuncts, viz., body, mind and speech. Even then it is known to be transcendental. It is the inspirer of all organs. etc. as an instrument requires an agent.1 The inter-relationship of the soul with senses, attachment, aversion, pain,rebirth, etc. has been named as bandha (bondage) in philosophical term. All schools of philosophers are unanimous in asserting that ignorance (ajñāna), non-discrimination (aviveka), attachment (āsakti), aversion (dvesa), love (rāga), hate (ghrnā) and passions (āvegas) give birth to bondage.? Undoubtedly, in its inherent state, soul or ātman is totally unaffected by the varied complexities of ordinary life but influences of passions and karmas result in new karmas. The character and fate of each individual along with the whole world in its present state are the outcomes of good or bad deeds done in previous lives. All sorts of results whatever they may be have to be borne at present or in future. This type of feeling is inherited into Hindu thinking through ages. It has been an important goal of all philosophers and saints to devise a way out to make jivas free from the bandha. It is held that the realization of the pure self is the ultimate achievement of continuous cycle of birth and rebirth.4 As a ripe fruit lying on the ground cannot be attached to the parent tree, similarly karma once destroyed cannot involve the soul in samsāra. Due to its interaction with matter
1 atmendriyadyadhisthata karanam hi sakartrkam, Bhasa-Pariccheda, 1/47. 2 Brhadaranyaka Upanisad, 4/4/5; Nyaya Sutra, 4/1/3; Vaisesika Sutra, 6/2/14;
Gita, 2/62 and 63; Yoga Sutra, 2/3 ; Joshi, K. S., Yoga and Personality, p. 40; Tattvartha Sutra, 8/2 ; Saddarsana Samuccaya (ed, by Prof. Murty), notes on Karika 7, p. 15. Cf. 'The Mysteries of Karma Revealed by a Brahmin Yogi', Allahabad 1898, quoted in the Six Systems of Indian Philosophy by Max Muller, p. 109. The results mentioned in the Scriptures accrue to the doer of the action--this is general rule, Purva Mimansa Sutra, III. VII, 18. • Mundaka, 2/2/8, 3/2/8 ; Tattvartha Sutra, 10/2, 3; Nyaya Sutra, 1/1/22 ; Vaisesika
Sutra, 5/2/8, 6/2/16 ; Samkhya Karika, 64 and 65 ; Yoga Sutra, 2/25, 3/34, Saundarananda, 16/28-29 and Saddarsana Samuccaya, Karika, 52.