Systems of Indian Philosophy

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 65

THE SYSTEMS OF INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
internal organ18. From the five subtle elements are produced five gross elements-371974 (ether), ay (air), aser (fire or light), 2799 (water), gfrit (earth) 19. The twenty fifth is the Purusha—the Soul, which is neither producer nor produced but eternal like Prakriti. It is quite distinct from the producing or produced elements and creations of the phenomenal world, though liable to be brought into connection with them. 8. The arguments which Kapila brings forward for the existence of soul as a separate entity, distinct from Prakriti, are these : First, fennect--Because that which is combined and is thefore discerptible is finally for the sake of some other which is not discerptible20. The second argument is ferguna facta Soul is something else than Prakriti because there is in soul the reverse of the three qualities passivity, activity and grossness21. The third argument is 371
Soul is not material because of its superintendence over Prakriti (and a superintendent is an intelligent being while Prakriti is unintelligent) 22 The fourth argument is HH91T --Soul is not material because of its being the experiencer23. It is the Prakriti that is experienced, the experiencer is soul.
What then is the nature of soul? Kapila answers : FRITATII FIT:-Since light does not pertain to the unintelligent, light is the essence of soul24. The followers of the Vaisheshika system think that intelligence is only an attribute of soul; really it is
18. Ibid 19. Ibid 20. SS 1.140; SK 17 21. SS 1.141 22. SS 1.142 23. SS 1.143 24. SS 1.145