Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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Sec. I]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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the attribute of consciousness. There are many synonymous words of soul, such as, jīva or jīvāstikāya, pāņa, bhūya, satta, vinnu, ceyā, jeyā, āyā etc.? Definition of Soul
The definition of soul becomes clear by the meanings of its synonymous words, e. g. the term "Jiva' denotes that the soul is consciousness and consciousness also is invariably the soul (Jīve tāva niyamā jīve jīvati jīve)." He who ever breathes is invariably jiva (being), but jiva (soul) breathes in some respect and does not breathe in other respect. (Jīvati tāva jīve, jīve puņa siya jīvati siya no jīvati). It is to be observed that the word 'Poggala' sometimes stands as synonym for soul. It is so called because of the integration and disintegration of its bodies (Puranād-galanāccaśarīrādināṁ pudgalah).
It is explained that soul is infinite from the aspect of substance, co-extensive with the Universe from that of space (kesetra), eternal from that of time and colourless, smell less, tasteless and touchless from that of condition.”
It is single eternal substance having infinite points (pradešas), for it is co-extensive with space possessing infinite points.
Nature of Soul Proof of Existence of soul
In the human body one feels the experience of another agency which defies the laws of Nature, time and space ; there is something, not analysable nor subject to physical analysis but is distinct from the object. Thus it is explained that the soul is endowed with exertion, action, strength, energy, effort and vigour and it manifests its jivabhāva (the state of consciousness) by its ātmabhāva? (the state of the self) i.e. the act of rising, lying, going, acting etc. Because the soul, having the attribute of consciousness attains consciousness of infinite modes of all kinds of knowledge, wrong knowledge and undifferentiated cognition (or self-awareness) (jñāna, ajñāna and daršana).
1 Bhs, 20, 2, 665. 23 Ib, 6, 10, 256. Ib, (Comm.), 20, 2, 665. 6 16, 2, 10, 118. 6 lb, 2, 10, 119. 7 I6, 2, 10, 120 ; 13, 4, 481.
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