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Jain Theism
and deeply brooded conteniplation on Jiva, and practically on all the categories, through austerity, penance and yoga. The nature of soul, the properties and characteristics of soul, all these reflect the originality of Jain system. Whether one agrees or disagrees, but it is certain that the Jain conception of Jiva is distinct from the rest. Moreover the Jain conception of Jiva is found quite in accordance with their own metaphysical doctrines. There is an obvious simplicity even in the midst of a great multiplicity of ideas regarding the meaning, nature and classification of soul. The soul in its essence is pure, perfect and all powerful. These potentialities are hindered by the Karmic veil and its original purity is sullied. “According to Jainism the Jiva is constitutionally free and potentially divine." This does not merely suggest the way to salvation as way to regain its original pure form by removing the veils or Karma, but also hints that the Jiva or soul should be understood thoroughly in its two states : the state of bondage and the state of release. Both these stages we will analyse and explain in our next two forthcoming sections.
Let us also make a mention, before we conclude this section, that "the Jains invest all the things of the universe with the spirit of Jiva. All the things of nature which appear to and are called inanimate by an ordinary man, seem to be possessed of Jiva to a Kevali and thus Jainism holds a kind of “pan-spiritualism” the whole with spirits. To me, perhaps, there is no other point more striking than this which distinguishes Jain conception of soul from the other concepts of souls in Indian philosophy. 5.2 The Soul in State of Bondage
5.2.1 Introduction
One cannot give full justice to Jain conception of soul only by knowing what the soul essentially or potentially is. The concept of soul and its nature in its pure state would mean only a partial understanding. Jainism also explains the soul in its bondage state- soul that is embodied. It comes forward to explain all the aspects- the cause- the origin- and the process which ultimately results into a bondage. Jainism does not say that the bondage is for ever and ever. It has a solution too. It proves to be quite optimistic; quite meaningful in its solution for the bondage of the soul, Jainism gives a way - a Mārga- to be followed to get rid of the bondage, to release the soul and attain liberation.
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