Book Title: Reals on the Jaina Metaphysics
Author(s): Harisatya Bhattacharya
Publisher: Shatnidas Khetsy Charitable Trust Mumbai

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Page 223
________________ 208 Reals in the Jaina Metaphysics. maņa Body. Mr. Jain supports his contention by saying, "The necessity for a link of this kind lies in the fact that the absence would render the gulf between spirit (soul) and gross matter unbridgeable, making it impossible for the ego to come in contact with or to use his bodily limbs". Mr. Jain further supports his position by quoting Dr. J. Bovee Dods: "It is evident that there is no direct contact between mind and gross matter... Hence it must be true that the highest and most ethereal inert matter in the universe being the next step to spirit can come in contact with mind. And electricity, changed into nervo-vital fluid (which is living galvanism) is certainly the highest and the most ethereal inert substance of which we can form any conception". In examining this view, we can at once state that once an absolute and essential dualism is admitted between spirit and matter it is questionable if electricity "changed into nervo-vital fluid" "can come in contact with mind”; for, although it is "the highest and the most ethereal inert matter in the universe”, it is still matter and as such, is incapable of coming in contact with spirit. Moreover, we are afraid, there is a little confusion in Mr. Jain's line of thinking. All that his quotation from Dr. J. Bovee Dods establishes is that electrical matter, as the most ethereal of substances is competent to serve as an intermediary between spirit and matter. Mr. Jain wants to connect the Kārmaņa with the grosser outer Bodies. The Kārmaņa is not spiritual nor psychical in essences; it is the subtlest of matter, yet matter after all. Evolution of the outer grosser Bodies from the potential Kārmaņa need not require any intermediary Taijasa Body. In the Vedic systems, the grosser Body is said to evolve from the Sūkşma by the force of Adrsta or the laws of Dharma and Adharma. In the same manner, the Audārika Sarira of the Jaina's may be said to be brought about by the forces, inherent in the subtle Kārmaņa. Accordingly, we think, the Taijasa Body of the Jaina's is neither a necessary link" between the Kārmaņa and the Audārika nor is in any way functionally instrumental in evolving the latter from the former. The Taijasa Śarīra is a unique conception Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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