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JAINA CONCEPT OF GOD IN JAINA THEISM
poets. The eighth mandala ascribed to numbers of different seers. Ninth mandala consists of hymns addressed to Soma. Many of the hymns of eighths and ninth mandalas are found in Samaveda also; mandala tenth seems to be later appended. At any rate, it contains views current at last period of the development of Vedic hymns. Speculative hymns about the origins of creation, etc. are to be met with. Together with these abstract theorizing are also found in it the superstitions, charm belonging to Atharvaveda period. While the speculative parts indicate the maturing of the mind, the feature shows that by that time the Vedic Aryans must have grown familiar with the doctrines and practices of native Indians and both these are clear indications of the late origin of the tenth Mandala."
44
When we get to the monotheistic level, the question arises as to whether the world came out of God's own nature without any preexistent matter or through His power acting on eternally pre-existent matter. The former view takes us to the higher monistic conception while the latter remains at lower monotheistic level, and we have both views in the Vedic hymns. In hymn X.121, we have an account of the creation of the world by an omnipotent God out of preexistent matter. Hiranyagarbha arose in the beginning from the great water, which pervaded the universe. He evolved the beautiful world from the shapeless chaos, which all that existed.45 But how did it happen, it is asked, that the chaos produced Hiranyagarbha? What is that unknown force or law of development, which led to his rise? Who is author of the primeval waters? According to Manu, Harivamsa and the other Purāņas, God was the author of Chaos. He created it by His will and put a seed in it, which became golden germ in which he; himself was born as the Brahma or the creator God. "I am Hiranyagarbha, the Supreme spirit himself become manifest in the form of Hiranyagarbha.' Thus the two eternally co
946
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, “ Indian Philosophy", Vol. 1997, P-68 45 Rgveda, X. 123.1
46 Manusmrt, V.9, MacDonnell, Vedic Mythology, p-17
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