________________
Matter
207
of the Jaina's and not their Taijasa Sarīra that resembles in many respects the Taijasa Body of the Vedic school.
Indeed, we have no hesitation in confessing that we have not quite understood the relation or utility of the Jaina Taijasa Sarira with respect to the Kārmaņa and the other grosser Bodies. The Taijasa Śarīra according to the Jaina's as we have seen, is a brilliant inner Body, which is a constant companion of the soul and which is different from the Kārmaņa. The Vedic school does not admit such a Taijasa Body. The Taijasa Body which is admitted by it accompanies the soul no doubt in its migrations but it is identical with the Sūkşma Sarīra which is essentially the Jaina Kārmaņa Body itself.
The eminent Jaina writer, Mr. C. R. Jain maintains that the "Taijasa Śarīra is a coat of luminous matter thrown over the Kārmaņa Sarīra and forms an atmosphere or aura of light round it, “Taken together, the Taijasa and the Kārmaņa Śarīras form only one organism”. In Jaina philosophical treatises the Taijasa Body is generally described as a Body different from the Kārmaņa. If, however, we are to unite it with the Kārmaņa,--why, the same thing may be done in respect of the Audārika as well. We may say that the Audārika Śarīra is a coat of non-luminous matter thrown over the Kārmaņa Sarīra and forms a rough vesture over it. We may also say, “Taken together, the Audārika and the Kārmaņa Sarīra's form only one organism.” So it seems to us that Mr. Jain's account of the Taijasa. Body does not attribute any special functioning or utility to it.
C. R. JAIN'S VIEW ABOUT THE KĀRMAŅA AND THE TAIJASA BODIES
Elsewhere, Mr. Jain says:-“The Taijasa is composed of electric or magnetic matter and is a necessary link between the outmost body and the Kārmaņa Sarira”. We have not, however, in the Jaina literature met with such a conception of the Taijasa Body, the conception, namely, that it is a necessary link between the gross Body and the subtle Kār
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
