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44 / JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
MAHAPRAGYA’S PRINCIPLE OF
EQUIVALENCE OF SOULS.
Lord Mahavira has taught us that all bios having different perceptive abilities are at par with each other, as all of them possess a unique soul. Bios may differ from each other only to the extent of their senses. Micro-organisms have single sense while the human beings have five senses. In spite of this distinction, they share same cycle of life and death, all have an in-built mechanism of self-perpetuation and all have inherent intelligence in them.
Lord Mahavira gave the above dictate which is all encompassing. Initially, we shall however, restrict our discussions to the equivalence of all human beings irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. Mahapragya has dealt extensively on this subject in Acharang-Bhashya. He has stated that the souls are neither created by nor are a part of any Almighty. In fact, souls are infinite and all of them are independent in their existence. A great deal of emphasis is given on the independence and equivalence of the souls. Universal Friendship
Mahapragya has drawn a very important conclusion out of the principle of equivalence. He says that the moment we accept all to be equal, we automatically befriend them. If we feel ourselves to be inferior to somebody, We develop a sense of fear. Contrarily, if we treat ourselves as superior to others, we may tend to over-power them. But, the third great possibility exists – that is, we consider ourselves at par with others. This is the true state of spiritual awakening. From the principle of equivalence of souls, emerges the concept of universal friendship. Imagine a situation where we are no more afraid of being physically attacked by others!
Universal friendship also means holding no enmity towards anybody. If we do not breed hostility and antagonism towards one and all, we automatically become friend to all around us. This is essence of universal friendship. From here starts the journey towards the inner self and emanates the golden postulates of ultimate emancipation -
Thy journey of life is a solitary affair – nobody can accompany. Thy pain and ecstasy is thy own - others are not responsible. It is thou, who is to be conquered - don't attack others. It is thou, who is to be liberated - don't enslave others. Thou are the greatest friend of thyself - nobody is thy foe.
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