Treatise on Jainism

Author(s): Jayantibhai S Sanghvi
Publisher: S J Sanghvi

Page 59

A Treatise on Jainism
visible form of matter, with which the life was clothed, and which was “Living” only so long as Life or Soul was united with it. The Soul is a self-existing entity and its existence is well proved, but since it is formless, it is not perceptible to our eyes. We do not see wind but its effect is felt. Because of the effect the cause exists. The effect (actions) of Atma i.e. Soul is perceptible in a living man because a living man moves, walks, plays and does work in various ways. He even thinks; all this is not perceptible in a dead man. A moment before death movements etc. are perceptible in a living man but the moment after death nothing is perceived in the dead body. Death does not mean annihilation of anything, Soul or Matter. It is only a separation of outer body from the Soul, which is still combined with two material but fine bodies i.e. Electric and Karmic. It is only when Soul obtains liberation, that it becomes permanently pure and completely rid of all combination with matter. By careful comparision we can find a trace to the characteristic features of Life and its differences from Lifelessness.