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Jaina Iconography
The remark by Prof. Jacobi as follows in general review of the Jaina Metaphysics is worth consideration. (i) The animistic belief of the Jainas, (ii) the absence of the category of quality in their enumeration of the principal constituent elements of the universe, (iii) thc inclusion of Dharma and Adharma in the class of substances. The Jainas hold, moreover, that the body, Manas and speech are constituted of Pudgala, which they regard as existing in atomic and aggregate form.
One of the central features of Jaina Mctaphysics is their group of seven Tattvas or Principles underlying which stand their doctrines of Karma and Samsāra. The principles are (1) Jiva (soul), (2) Ajiva (non-soul), (3) Asrava (influx of karmic matter into soul), (4) Bandha (Bondage), (5) Samvara (stoppage of the inflow of fresh matter), (6) Nirjarā (removal of any past karma), (7) Moksa (absolute liberation). If, to this series two more principles of Punya or mcrit and Papa or demerit are added, thc collection is to be known as the nine Padārthas.
This aspect of Metaphysics describes the stages upon the way to salvation. Moksa is in fact the liberation of Jiva from Ajīva. Jiva is entangled by Karmas and Karmic matter throughout all his births and overmore fresh Karmas are pouring in. It is Karma, which brings on the Asrava, 3 which for the first time taints the pure soul. Thus, with the inflow of matter, there is it kind of fusion of soul and matter.
This binding of the soul to the body is Bandha, which is not to the advantage of the former. Hence accrue Pāba (dcmerit) and Punya (mcrit) in consequence of which, the Jiva revolves in the circle of births and deaths (Saṁsāra). The only step towards Mokṣa or final release can be attained by stopping the “inslux" (Sariwara)* and by ridding the soul of matier (Nirjarā). This is, however, affected by practising the thirty-five ordinary
1. 00197 Tatar TrafATTTTTTTTTTTTI Tutt'ārtha Sūtra 1.4. 2. जीवाजीवाभावा पुण्णं पावं च आसत्रं तेसि ।
Tafuust Tart Het Jagfra à ET II Pañcāstikāya 103.
Cf. Drarra-sumgraha (Ed. by S. Ghosal) 28 Śloka. 9. FR54T: FH-TTT: 11
Talliārtālhigama Sülra, 6. 1. (Asiatic Society's Edition, p. 139). 4. TTTTT: FTT: || Ibid. (Asiatic Society's Edition).
