________________
140
Scientific Vision of Lord Mahāvīra
nothing but the different phases of the basic quality of sensitivity, irritability or consciousness. Out of the four characteristics mentioned above the instincts are merely an extension of the quality consciousness. The concepts of bio-energy and bio-potentials are, however, some suggestions of the material approach for the living entity. Thus consciousness is a specific quality and the rest of the properties are suggestive of material nature of the living being. The Concept of Soul-units (Ātma-pradeśa)
The Bh.S mentions something more as the characteristic of the living beings. Accordingly, living entity is said to contain innumerable soul-units. 80 If all the soul-units spread, they can occupy the whole cosmos. But as far the Jain view is concerned, it, unlike the Nyaya-Vaisesika philosophy, agrees with the concept that soul spreads in limit i.e. the body, it occupies. Our experience also proves that a soul lives in the body it occupies. According to Jain view even emancipated souls occupy limited space-units as we have seen in the third chapter. On the other hand, other philosophies keep different views regarding the expansion of the soul. So it is natural to ask what is the size of the scul actually? Is it cosmic or limited? Secondly, if the soul limits itself upto the body it occupies; the next question arises what is the relation between both of them. Philosophically and psychologically these questions have been discussed widely. The resulting answers are not unanimous. The Bh.S also deals with these questions in its way under the following discussions.
Size of the soul
According to Jainism, the soul is eternal but not all pervasive. Though it has a capacity of pervasion throughout the cosmos yet, it pervades the body, it occupies except the condition of Samudghāta (Astral projection).81 The medium of motion, the medium of rest, cosmos and a soul occupy the equal number of space units.82 The medium of motion, the medium of rest and cosmos are not receptive and they do not act or react with any external force. Therefore, there is no external effect on them. On the other hand, the soul existing in worldly stage receives physical substance at every moment and acts with its help. Consequently, there is no uniformity in the activity and the effects of the soul. It is capable of expansion and contraction in accordance with the body, it occupies. Therefore, the soul is stated to be of madhyama-parimāna i.e. intermediate size.83
The capacity of the soul of pervading the entire body it occupies is compared with the capacity of the light of a lamp84 which pervades the entire room big or small. Similarly the soul in its worldly existence pervades the entire body big or small. The soul, which pervades a huge body like an elephant's, is also found in the smallest body, the body of kunthu (insect).
