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

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Page 367
________________ 352 Reals in the Jaina Metaphysics admiration; the second, by an attitude of self-reliance, the third, by a feeling of harmony among multifarious attitudes; the fourth, by a feeling of awe, the fifth by a spirit of veneration towards its sublime object; the sixth, by an attitude of self-reliance, fastened to an awe-inspiring object of veneration. All these subjective attitudes refer to real aspects in the character of Arhat. Similarly the seventh statement also reveals a new aspect of the character of the Arhat, which is evidenced by the uniqueness of a corresponding attitude in his devotees. The fact that Nelson fights, that he does not fight, that his nature is inexpressible, is certainly more than any of the facts noticed about him previously. It shows that Nelson was marked out as the fittest man for England's purpose and the feeling evoked by the seventh) aspect of Nelson's character, may be called the feeling of satisfaction. In the same manner, the Arhat in this seventh aspect of his character may be said to satisfy the spiritual needs of the seekers of deliverance. He evokes admiration, generates self-reliance and is awe-inspiring; but the seventh statement is not confined to those only; it shows that he is more; he is a unique being satisfying all the religious, the moral and the artistic sentiments of the devotees's heart. In one word, the Arhat of the seventh proposition is the being for the seekers of deliverance. Each BHANGA POINTS TO A REAL ASPECT It is thus that each of the seven propositions of the Syādvāda reveals a new aspect of the subject under consideration. A consideration and statement of all these seven propositions are necessary for the purpose of having a complete idea of the subject. Each Bhanga expresses but a partial aspect of the subject and its picture will not be complete until and unless all the above seven statements are made. The seven predications are not mere verbal constructions but are statements expressing objective realities. We have tried to show above how each of the seven statements regarding the subject of our illustration of the Arhat, evokes a distinct feeling in us, which proves that each of Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary org

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