Jainism and Democracy

Author(s): Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: I A S S Jain Conference New Delhi

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JAINISM AND DEMOCRACY
They are natural characteristics of the soul and get full manifestation in the state of salvation. These powers of the soul are neutralized by the karmic influence in the state of spiritual bondage, the state of beings engrossed in worldly affairs. The way to salvation means the effort of the soul to remove karmic obstruction and regain its natural state of four Infinites lying dorment since the time immemorial. Thus, the nature of obscurance, its gradual removal and the means for that removal are the main factors to be considered to have a clear glimpse of the Jaina way to spiritual realization,
The cause of obscurance is known as karman. It is composed of material substance known as Karma vargaṇā. The soul disturbed by the activity of mind, speech or body attracts the dirt of that substance and is thereby petrified. The passions of anger, conceit, crookedness and greed give duration and intensity to that dirt. Stronger the passions the dirt of karman will last for a longer duration and affect the soul more severely. The accumulated karman expires after giving its fruit when the term of its duration is over. At the same time new disturbance causes new accummulation. This process is confined from the time immemorial and will continue as long as the new accummulation is not stopped and the old one is experienced away or cast off through other measures. The way to salvation means a deliberate attempt on the part of the soul, for purification from the dirt by stopping the new accumulation and destroying the old one.
The function of karmic dirt is divided into two main groups. The karmans that impress the potencies