Sambodhi 2009 Vol 32

Author(s): J B Shah, K M patel
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 70

Pooja Chandel
SAMBODHI
ground is soul, a self, a sentient being, a conscious principle. “If the object about which one has doubt is certainly non-existent, who has a doubt as to whether I do exist or I do not exist ? Or, Gautama ! when you yourself, what can be free from doubt?"9
He further says : “ The soul which is substratum (gunin) of attributes is self-evident owing to its attributes (gunās) being self-evident, as is the case with a pitcher. For on realising the attributes (gunas) the substratum (gunin), too, is realized.”10
Substance cannot exist without qualities and qualities have no place absolutely independent of substance. If the qualities are experienced, the experience of the substance is apparent. The qualities of soul such as perception, intuition etc. are quite evident. These qualities cannot have an absolutely independent existence. Hence, the existence of the soul to which all
se qualities belong, is quite obvious. Vādideva describes the nature of the (worldly) soul in the following manner : The soul which is proved by direct experience (pratyaksa) etc., is the knower (pramātā). It is essentially conscious, changing, agent, direct enjoyer, equal in extent to its own body, different in each body, and the possessor of material karmas." All these characteristic serve specific purposes. Jainism intends to refute all those schools that do not agree it's his conception of soul. The soul is said to be the possessor of material karmas. Mundane souls are not perfect, because their knowledge, energy etc., are found to be restricted. Five kinds of Bodies
Jainas have stated that bodies are constituted by matter and such bodies are of five kinds :
Audārika – The body which is gross and physical is called audārika body, The organic body of human beings, animal beings and vegetable kingdom is of this type. It is full of blood, bones etc.2-Vaikriya- That which possessed by the beings of heaven and hell and by human beings as well as animals possessing an extraordinary power (labdhi) is called vaikriya body. It is invisible and is capable of transformation in different shapes and sizes.3-āhāraka - The subtle body which is developed by an advanced Yogin is called āhāraka body. It can be projected, i.e., sent to great distances on special occasions.4-Taijasa- It is composed of electric matter and is a necessary link between the audārika body