________________
Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
Nyāya Vais'eşika
281
There are two ways of knowing the soul. One way is of knowing it by means of introspection or by the sense of 'Ihood', and the other is, by inference. The souls of others can be known by inference from their activities which are similar to ours and, which can be performed only by some such principle as we have in our soul. The Bhāsā Pariccheda further contains the following passage regarding it: "It is to be inferred from its voluntary movements, etc..., as a charioteer is from the motion of a chariot. It is the substratum of egoism, and is known only through the mind."! The same point is made more elaborate in its commentary in the following way: “The existence of this soul in another's body and the like is inferred from its voluntary movements, etc., Pravịtti (inclination) here means voluntary movement (cesā). Since it has in a way been already stated that knowledge, desire, effort (Prayatna), etc. do not abide in the body, and since voluntary movement is the outcome of effort, the soul which is possessed of effort, is inferred from its voluntary movements. .... As a charioteer, etc. That is to say although the motion of a chariot is not voluntary movement, yet the presence of a charioteer is inferred from it; similarly the soul of another is inferred from actions of the nature of voluntary movement.....Egoism is the feeling of 'I'. Its substratum or object is the soul, not the body, etc.,, ... it is incapable of being perceived by any other organ."?
Ibid. Sutra 50, p. 79.
2 Madhavānanda (Swami) : Bhasā Pariccheda, Sūtra 50 (Com.), p. 79.
For Private And Personal
