Samayasara

Author(s): Kundkundacharya, Jethalal S Zaveri
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 81

Chapter - 2
Samayasara
attributes colour, smell etc., which are always possessed by the physical bodies only may be conventionally expressed as being possessed by the soul. This is because in the worldly life, the body and the soul are presented in real experience, as a unity called organism. But it must be borne in mind that when any soul is emancipated, it is pure soul without body or any other material encumbrance and, therefore, without any of these attributes. This, therefore, should leave no doubt that the statement "the soul possesses colour etc." is only an empirical or conventional expression.
In spite of this clear position, some may persist in believing that they are permanent attributes of the soul. Admonishing such a die-hard absolutist, author says-"If you believe that all attributes of matter are ultimately possessed by jīva also, then we, inevitably come to an absurd conclusion that there is no distinction between the conscious substance-jīva and unconscious substance-matter."
Expounding his argument further, author reaches a more drastic and ridiculous conclusion that matter is transmuted into jīva. He further argues-"If, according to your belief, souls in worldly state are possessed of colour, smell etc. in an absolute sense, they would become rūpī, i.e., they would permanently assume a material form. Now it is well known and universally accepted that rupatvamaterial form is a characteristic only of one of the six eternal substances, viz., matter (pudgala). Now as and when these rūpī souls (as per your belief) become emancipated, which they would, undoubtedly be, if they follow the prescribed path of spiritual discipline, then in that case, there is only one conclusion that matter has been transmuted into jīva who has been emancipated."
Thus, asserts the author that regarding a conventional statement to be an ultimate truth is erroneous and the fallacy may lead to unacceptable and absurd situation. Colour, smell and the like must never be regarded as the soul's attributes in an absolute
sense.
Neither the Basis for Classification of Living Organisms nor the Stages of Spiritual Advancement are Identifiable as 'Soul'
एक्कं च दोण्णि तिण्णि य चत्तारि य पंच इंदिया जीवा । बादरपज्जत्तिदरा पयडीओ णाकम्मस्स ॥ २७ ॥