Jain Journal 1998 04

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

Page 30

120
JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXII, No. 4 April 1998 bug, ant32, of the four-sensed souls are mosquito, fly and butter fly33 of the five-sensed souls with ten Pranas are celestial, hellish, and human beings and some sub-human souls34; and of the five-sensed souls with nine-prāņas are only some sub-human souls35. All the diverse mundane souls right up to four-sensed ones are designated as non-rational or mindless (Asamjñī), whereas the five-sensed subhuman beings may be rational and non-rational, but the celestial, hellish and human beings are necessarily rational36. The rational souls may be recognised by the capability of being preached, of receiving instruction, and of voluntary action37.
Spiritual classification of selves :
Apart from the empirical classification of selves, Jainism gives us a different classification of selves from the spiritual point of view. If the former classification refers to the scientific attitude of the Jains, the latter refers to his spiritual outlook. The three kinds of self which the Jains recognise from the spiritual stand -piont are Bahirātman, Antarātman, and Paramätman.
(a) Bahiratman :
The attitude of Cārvāka materialist may very well sum up the meaning of the Bahirātman. The characteristics of the Bahirātman may, in the first place, be accounted for by affirming that he identifies himself with the physical body.,38 wife and children, silver and gold39 etc. with the logical consequence that he is constantly obsessed with the fear of self-annihilation of the body and the like.40 Secondly, he remains engaged in the transient pleasures of the senses,41 feels elated in getting the coveted things of the unsubstantial world, and becomes dejected when they depart. Thirdly, he is desirous of getting beautiful body and physical enjoyment in the life hereafter as a result of his penances, 42 and is tormented even by the thought of death.43 32. Ibid. 115. 33. Ibid. 116. 34. Panca. 117 and comm. Amrita. 35. ibid (In all references from 4 to 5 translation borrowed from Chakravarti's
Pancastikaya) 36. Panca comm. Amrta, 117. 37. Gomm. Ji, 660. 38. Mo, Pa, 8. Samadhi 7, 13, 69 Kartti 193. 39. Mo. Pa. 10 Samadhi 11, 14 Jñana XXXII 17, 21. 40. Jñana XXXII. 18. 41. Samadhi 7, 55 pp. 1-84 42. Samadhi-42. 43. Samadhi-76.