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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
DECEMBER 2015
an external one. But it is different in case of self self. Often a question has been put before the Jaina consciousness. The object of knowledge (ineya) scholars: How consciousness can reveal the nature includes both self and not self. “As light reveals itself of unconscious object. This question has been and others."(17). Thus we find that the Jainas reject dismissed as an absurd one because according to the Nyaya Vaisesika theory that knowledge reveals Jaina theory of knowledge it is the very nature of only external relations but not itself.
knowledge to reveal objects. 5. Keval jnana or "omniscience is not only the 7. In case of self consciousness the subject of culmination of our cognitive faculties, it is also the final knowledge (Jnanin), the object of knowledge (Jneya) consummation of our moral, religious and spiritual life." and knowledge itself are different aspects of a single In Jainism we find an intimate relation between the state concrete unity. "In perfect condition, according to Jain of salvation and omniscience. The perfect being is also theory of knowledge, the soul is pure Jnana and the possessor of perfect knowledge. The state of kevali Darsana." is reached through the progressive development of the Conclusion: self which leads to the annihilation of various The Jain epistemology or theory of knowledge, we obstructions of knowledge. Like almost all the systems find it to be quite consistent with its metaphysics, ethics of Indian philosophy, "Jainism also tries to link the and philosophy of soul. The modes of understanding concept of omniscience with the highest of religious and the types of knowledge discussed in Jainism and spiritual life." The concept of omniscience, does fosters a rational outlook and an appropriate attitude in involve difficulties. But then Jainism believes in and understanding the scope and limitations of soul's accepts the fact that omniscience is possible. The capacity to know. The classification and descriptions Jaina thinkers have discussed and proved the of knowledge, given by the Jaina scholars, is existence of omniscience through number of convincing, minute and highly scientific. It is throughout arguments. The chief one follows "from the necessity consistent to the doctrine of karma. Of course, types of the final consummation of the progressive of knowledge, as discussed in this paper, does not development of cognition."
cover the entire realm of Jain epistemology but it "Omniscience in Jainism is not only the perfection certainly paves the preliminary essential background of the cognitive faculty of the self but also its ultimate about Jnan, Jnanin and Jneya without which the further end. It is the spiritual state of eternal bliss and also the complicated topics such as theory of causation, Jaina culmination of religious aspiration. This state can be logic, the philosophy of non-absolutism and the compared with the Jivan-mukti of Sankhya and conditional mode of predication cannot be understood. Vedanta, with the Turiyavastha of, Brahmananda."(21).
To be continued] 6. No soul of living being can be totally devoid of or 76-C, Mangal Flat No. 15, 3rd Floor, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, bereft or mati jnana and sruta jnana. Knowledge Matunga, Mumbai-400019. Mobile : 96193/79589/98191 79589 according to Jain theory is always appropriated by the Email : kaminigogri@gmail.com
Story of the Seventh Chakravarti Aranath
The city of Hastinapur is honoured to have 5h, 6th and 7th Chakravarti who were also our Tirthankaras - Shantinath, Kunthunath and Aranath respectively.
The seventh Chakravarti was our eighteenth Tirthankara Aranath who achieved Tirthankar-nam-karma in his previous birth by auspicious karmas i.e. 16 good virtues like donation, friendliness to all Jivas, non-violence, etc. He renounced the world after listening to the sermons of recluses about the immortal soul. After death he became a deity in nineth Graiveyak - Viman.
At HastinapurKing Sudarshan and Queen Mayadevi were very generous towards all living beings. The Jiva of Aranath was born in this kind of familyon Magasar Sudi 10thday. Queen Mayadevi saw 14 auspicious dreams and a Chakra before his birthso the young boy was called Aranath. The people became very happy to see young Rajkumar. Aranath became king of Hastinapur when his father became old.
Once his Sevika informedhim that she saw a Chakraratna in his armory. After paying homage to the chakra and with its blessing courageousking Aranath conquered all the states in Bharat-ksetra with the help of Chakra. After becoming Chakravarti, he served the poor and needy people. Once he thought of leaving all the comforts to achieve ultimate knowledge Kevalajnan like other Tirthankaras. He renounced the world and performed severe austerity to achieve that knowledge. After getting Kevalinan, he delivered sermons for the welfare of mankind. His Nirvan took place at Sametshikhara.