Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 624

Sec. VI] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA 599 make the nature of things clear one uses 'bhangi', such as, pramāṇabhangi, syādvādbhangi, etc. That is, the style or mode of expression by taking care of other aspects of the thing in mind, which must be conveyed to others, is used to give exposition of thoughts and ideas about it. One particular aspect of Reality which has infinite qualities is expressed by 'syād'.
The BKS does not specifically deal with this syādvāda theory of judgement, but it is evidently clear from the study of its contents that the system of saptubhangż-naya (seven fold judgement) governs the thoughts of religion, philosophy, psychology, epistemology and ethics as embodied in this canonical work.
SIXTH SECTION.
Doctrine of Karma. All forces of life and Nature are associated together in the principle of cause and effect--the central theme of studies of all branches of knowledge. This fundamental law of causation pervades the entire sphere of physical and psychical worlds, governing the process of origination, continuation and decay of substances--living and non living, gross and fine, developed and undeveloped.
The Bhs throws light upon this principle of causation by explaining it from the five positive and negative aspects that jiva (soul or being) knows, perceives realizes and attains cause (hetu) and dies a chadmastha marana (death of a man endowed with finite knowledge), having cause and by cause also. From the negative point of view jžva does not know, perceive and attain cause, but dies an ignorant death, having cause and by cause. Significance of Karma
Thus a universal law of causation explains and interprets the psycho-physical actions and reactions of beings manifested in the forms of thoughts, feeling and behaviour.
i Viseşāvasyaka-bhāsya, pp. 895 ff. and Syādvāda-mañjari,
pp. 170 ff. " BhS, 12, 10, 469. 8 Ib, 5, 7, 220.