Jaina Concept of Omniscience

Author(s): Ramjee Singh
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 62

CLASSIFICATION AND CATEGORISATION
: 49
In Patanjala-Yoga, “the Yogin acquires omniscience when the all-pervading state of citta is restored. When it becomes as pure as the purusa, the latter is liberated."'This is because it is "by means of citta that the self becomes aware of objects and enters into relation with the world."9 So until the body is cast off, the final liberation is not possible. Fifihly, the Jaina theory of omniscience follows from the Jaina theory of soul as the possessor of four-fold infinities, namely, infinite knowledge, infinite faith, etc. It means that the soul is potentially omnipotent ad omniscient. It is the obstruction of the Karmic matter which covers the Jivas with impurity. As soon as these impurities are removed, the soul is restored to its natural state, 10 Sixthly, the concept of omniscience also follows from the Jaina concept of Mokşa. Moksa means freedom of Jīvas from its Karmic particles and the state of Moksa is the state of infinite knowledge. infinite faith, bliss and power." Lastly, the concept of omniscience has been a matter of abiding faith and spiritual aspiration in Indian culture. So it was natural for the Jainas to fall in line with the dominant traditions of the Indian thought 12
However, it must be admitted that the Jainas are the most ardent and systematic exponents of the theory of omniscience. This is supported by the fact that the Jaina thinkers have described their Tirtharkaras as omniscient beings from the very beginning as is shown by the oldest religious records. 1 3 But there has also been important changes in their theory which might have been necessitated by the inner logic of
8 Radhakrishnana S., Indian Philosophy ( 2 Vols., London, George
Allen & Unwin, 1948 (rev.), Vol. II, p. 346. 9 Yoga-Sutra, I.2; II.6; II.7; 11.20. 10 Aşşusahasri, p. 50. 11 Kundakunda, Pravacana Sara, I. 19. 12 Cp. Mimāṁsā śloka Vārtika, II. 110; Pramāņa Vārtikam, I. 34. 13 Ācārānga Sitra; 11,3 Āras yaka Nir, Gáthā 127, Bhagavaii Sutra,
IX,32; Apta Mināmsä, K.5. JCO-7