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Jain Theism
pervading reality without a second of its kind to stand by it. There is an infinity of these souls. And though it is true that an infinite number of these has become free from the turmoils of the world; yet there remains an infinite number struggling for freedom; for if infinity is taken from infinity the remainder is infinite itself."'34
The Jains do not reduce all the particular finite souls to one single spiritual principle or universal self; they, on the contrary maintain the existence of infinite independent souls. Mrs. S. Stevenson writes, "They (Jains) also differ, of course, from the Vedantists, who believe in one all-soul not in numberless individual souls like this."35
5.1.5. Classification of Souls
The Jivātmā, according to Jainism is not a soul in its pure form. It is a polluted one. The souls are innumerable and all souls, again as per the degree of its pollutedness bear the consequences and status. This creates quite a considerable scope to classify the souls (Jivas) from various standpoints. Thus the Jains make an exhaustive classification of Jivas on the basis of various physical differences. The infinite number of Jivas are classified by the Jain philosophers in the following way :
"With reference to its common essence, the Jiva is of one kind. It is of two kinds in as much as it may be in bondage or emancipated. The Jiva may be imperfect or nearly perfect or perfect and thus be of three modes. With respect to its state of existence, the Jiva may be divided into four classes viz central being. internal being, human beings, and subhuman beings, In consideration of its five-fold conditions viz: mitigation, annihilation, partial annihilation and partial mitigation, modification and genesis or rising, the Jiva is of five kinds. The six modes of the cognition divide the Jiva into six classes. The seven ways of predication make seven classes of Jiva. In consideration of the eight essential attributes of the soul or the eight modes of the eight Karma, the Jiva may be divided into eight classes. Nine catagories make the Jiva nine. Ten kinds of life divide Jiva into ten classes. 36
34. Nahar and Ghosh, An Epitome of Jainism p. 279.
35. Sinclair Stevenson, The Heart of Jainism p. 98.
36. Tattvarthasutra II 1 to 10
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