Book Title: Jainism a Theistic Philosophy
Author(s): Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Page 109
________________ DOCTRINE OF TRANSMIGRATION: COROLLARY... 93 the other world to reap the fruits of its action. In Upanişads, however we find a clear development of the doctrine, although even then it is not as developed as with the Buddhist and the Jainas. Vedic Aryan's outlook was deeply spiritual praying to gods for robust life affirmation. Sacrifices to gods, penance, philosophical wisdom and religious intuition were there chief characteristics. There are scholars who think that the Vedic Aryans had no special doctrine about life after death and that the suggestion of the conceptions of karma and rebirth belonged to the aboriginal Indian thinkers who had their own distinct culture and philosophy, the remnant of which can still be traced in non-Brahmanical system of Jainism and Buddhism. Spiritual and religious characteristic of Vedic Aryans inspired secularism, whereas Jaina's exclusive attitude in spirituality and religiousness, more or less, neglected them from being secular which helped in growth of their asceticism. But before the development of asceticism there was the natural development of ideas of rebirth and karman and development of corresponding metaphysics. IV. (ii) Concept of Life and Death Soul is an eternal, indestructible substance. In its pure state, it is beyond birth and death. But in its impure mundane state, it manifests itself in any of the life-species (yoni) by assuming a physical body; this manifestation of soul through a physical body is called “birth”. Thus, its every new association with a new body is its new birth. And its separation from a physical body is called “death."10 '(i)Brhadāranyaka Upanişad, VI.2.16 (ii)Dr. Nathmal Tatia, “Studies in Jain Philosophy”, P-4 A. B. Keith, “The Religion and Philosophy of Veda and Upanisad", Harvard Oriental Studies, Vol.32, P-570, lbid - 8, P-4 "(i) Bhagavadgitā, 2.22 & 8.26, Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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