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

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Page 266
________________ 250 JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM" the aims of the transmigration but it arises on account of misconception. Kapila altogether discards the theory of the efficacy of works as a means of salvation. To him only knowledge is the sole means of liberation. Even meditation is not the direct cause of liberation, though it is useful as secondary cause, for it removes desire, which really hinders knowledge. So it is worth practicing which can be done by stopping all modifications of mind." Through meditation knowledge is acquired. But if misconception interferes, bondage will be the result. What is misconception? It is five-fold- ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion and fear of dissolution. Why should this misconception play its part at all? Simply because of the power evolves satisfaction, pleasure and accomplishment. Success is impeded and hence arises the disability, which causes misconception. It should be noted however that according to Kaplia's theory the soul is not really fettered by matter, it only has a wrong impression that it is fettered. Really it is quite free. Only it does not realize this fact so long as it is in mundane existence. The gross body usually, though not always arises from father and mother, while the subtle body is a creation out of the principle. Pleasure and pain belongs to the subtle body not to gross body. The Jaina conception, about the doctrine of karma is basically resembles or is the same as that of school of Sāṁkhya, according to which there is effective relation through which Praksti is influenced by the presence of Purușa. More or less in the same way, in Jainism Jīva (soul) attracts Pudgala. There cannot be evolution unless the two become somehow related to each other. In Jainism the doctrine of Karma is regarding the union of soul and matter is basically the same as that of Sāṁkhya. A soul acquires the body that it inwardly craves for the karma or the sum of past life of a soul generates in it certain blind cravings and passions. These Sāṁkhya-sūtra, 3.23-3.31 Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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