Journal of Gyansagar Science Foundation 2013 04 01

Author(s): Sanjeev Sogani, Vimal Jain
Publisher: Gyansagar Science Foundation

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Dr. Surendra Singh Pokharna, Volume 1 Issue 1 April 2013
compatible with GST where definite goals are defined. Jain concept of Soul has some kind of "Order" built into it.
The spiritual path suggested in Jainism and the properties of a worldly soul as it evolved towards a state of perfection has many interesting features which appeals a scientist. Many attributes of such an ordered soul are enunciated and are found in many monks. Thus for example shatabdhanies are found who demonstrate several powers of brain not commonly found elsewhere. It appears that practices like nanayanu yatras, varshi tap, mas khaman, updhan, siddhi tap and other several practices lead to very stable life, increased self confidence, recognization of inner strength of soul and a highly ordered mental state.
Three examples which shows that concept of knowledge through consciousness should be seriously studied in a modern perspective
We now give two strong evidence that there is a need to take the concept of knowledge consciousness in a very serious way. These examples are given below:
Remarkable memory of Swamy Vivekanand
If we look at some meaning of the term consciousness in the scientific perspective than we find that it is a property of all biological systems. When our acharyas, rishies and munies talk of realization of a higher state of consciousness which has certain characteristics, than it is worth examining the following examples. The first concerns with extraordinary sharp memory of Swami Vivekanand (The Life of Swami Vivekanand, Vol II, pp. 634, Advaitva Ashrama, 1989). As per this, Swamiji had such a sharp memory that he almost remembered 11 volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica, which he had just read once. A question is to be raised by the scientific community, "what is the mechanism and how this state of orderliness is achieved and is related to his/her behavior as Yogi ?"
Shatavdhani: Demonstration of extraordinary capability of memory and sixth sense
It is mention in section 7 that a perfect consciousness with the four infinities perceives every thing of the universe simultaneously and completely by a single cognition. However, a worldly soul (an enlightened soul but not yet perfect) can also have rich knowledge contents due to spiritual growth and religious practices. One example of this hypothesis is given below which is called shatavadhan. Shatavadhan (Shat- 100+ Avdhan) is a power to cover 100 different activities in a single act of attention. One who
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reaches the stage of shatavadhan is called Shatavadhani. A shatavadhani. can remember 100 different things in a 100 different orders, spoken by 100 different people. This unbelievable power has been attained by a handful of people over the human history and because it needs very high stage of spiritual development. This is possible only when one is able to have self control in order to experience the power of soul. According to the modern scientific belief, a normal human being utilizes hardly 2% to 3% of his total mental potential. A common man can hear and remember serially 3 or 4 at a time. This is based on conscious mind. Anyone with exceptional intellect can extend this number from 3-4 to 10-11. However, taking this number to 100 is beyond the powers of most of the people. Shatavadhan is the ability to receive, retain and retain 100 activities accrued through eyes or ear during one period of attention and carried from the conscious to the subconscious. A Shatavdhani can utilize maximum of mental potential which demands immense concentration. That is the reason that history can name only countable shatavdhanis.
In Jain tradition one can name Shrimad Rajchandra Guru of Mahatma Gandhi (Kalarthy Mukul, 2004) from whom he learned the concept of ahimsa (nonviolence). Shrimad exhibited his memonic powers in late 19th Century in Mumbai. Gandhiji had great impact of shrimad on his religious beliefs. This is also narrated in his autobiography.
The procedure adopted by Shrimadji in giving these demonstrations of his rare powers was indeed most exacting. In one demonstration, he could carried out fifty two activities in a sequence (Appendix 1). He would begin all the fifty-two activities at once, simultaneously. He would attend to a portion of each task at a time. He will then attend another second task, next move on to yet another third task, fourth task, and so on. After some time, he would return to the first task. He would cover these rounds, one after the other, until he had covered all the fifty-two task. He made it a rule not to put down any points on paper while attending to these various activities, nor to take any notes and to ask any one to repeat anything.
In Samvant 1943 (1887 AD), Shrimadji reached the peak of his achievements in this direction. He was Mumbai at the time. He gave there a demonstration of his powers for simultaneous mental attention, this time covering a hundred different activities. He gave these demonstrations at centers including Faramjee Cowslip Institution at Dhobi Talao in Mumbai. The demonstration of powers to attend to a hundred different activities simultaneously earned him a tremendous amount of