Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 36

Samyaktva (Rationality) : (33) Competitive Glorification of Deity:
There appears to be a serious aberration in the interpretation of omniscience of kevali. If it is over-stretched to the point of pre-ordained destiny then the whole edifice of effort (Puruşārtha) crumbles down and all preaching for good rational conduct will become irrelevant. As a matter of fact kevali having attained the purest and highest state are Vitarāga and do not predict any body's future.
जाणादि पस्सदि सव्वं ववहार गयेण केवली भगवं । केवलणाणि जाणदि पस्सदि नियमेण अप्पाणं ।।
Niyamasāra-159
Kevalins know all substances is subject matter of mundane view point or Vyavahāra Naya. In fact and truly by Niscaya Naya, they know and enjoy only the attributes of their purified souls. They only preach path of rational trinity for salvation. The over-stretching of omniscience of kevali is the result of competitive enthusiasm of the followers of different sects to adorn their deities with more and more superior powers. This may also be due to growing laxity and even apathy towards pursuing good conduct. Such over-stretched concepts provide an easy excuse to ignore good, pious conduct on the plea that one is helpless as one is doing only whatever is preordained (Niyativāda) as per futuristic omniscience of kevali. Such over stretching is not at all in tune with the fundamental tenets of Jainism. Arhat Kevalins are not soothe sayers or future tellers. They can not be pessimistic and sadistic to frighten or placate the mundane souls by telling them their bad or good future. Rationality enjoins on Jains to discard the over-stretched concept of omniscience. Acceptance of untimely death (Akāla Mityu) and Anekānta (non-absolutism), justifying both orderly sequence and not (Krama - Akrama), timely and not (Kāla-Akāla), pre-ortiained and not (NiyatAniyat) etc in Jainism also repudiate the over-stretched concept of omniscience, particularly the pre-ordained destiny. Dr. Sandeep Jain of Prakrit Vidyā, New Delhi has quoted the following verse in his article