Sacred Philosophy

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

Page 34

is endowed with strong conmonsense or is devoid of it, and other such differences of temperaments, surroundings, environments and the like, are all due to the different tendencies evolved out by him. Thus is birth followed by death and death by re-birth till nirvana is attained, when the soul is rid of all kinds and forms of material impurities once for all and continues to live for ever in its own natural purity as pure Effulgence of Spirit, omniscient, immortal and all-happiness.
Such, ladies and gentlemen, is the goal of philosophy of the Jaina Siddhânta-it aspires to raise puny miserable mortals to the status and dignity of Gods.
It only remains for me to say that it has not been possible for me to do aught more than to touch the bare fringe of the subject, though we have devoted so much time to it. But if any one feel interested in the further study of the subject, there are books now available which may be obtained from the Central Jaina Publishing House, Arrah, as well as elsewhere, and which will be found to be helpful for the purpose. I must not forget to thank you for your attentiveness throughout this long discourse before I resume my seat. Such interest in a subject matter of this kind is certainly expected to be productive of good results. What I particularly wish you to note to-day is that the soul is an