________________
Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
336
Atman and Maksa
Another argument to establish the existence of the soul (Purusa) is made from the tendency of individuals to 'isolation or final beatitude. The Tattva Kaumudi says "., the spirit must be there, “ because there is tendency towards Isolation - The 'Isolation' which is found in all scriptures and is recognised by all sages and others possessed of divine insight ---as the absolute and final cessation of the three kinds of pain--can never belong to the Great principle and other products; because, by their very nature, the pain as one of their integral components, from which, therefore, they can never be absolved; since a substance can never be absolved of something that forms its constituting element. It is only when one is distinct from the Great Principle, etc., and does not consist in pleasure, pain and delusion, that the said isolation can be possible. Thus, the conclusion is, that in as much as there is a tendency in all scriptures and among all intelligent persons towards Isolation', there must be something beyond (pleasure, etc., and hence) the Great Principle and the rest, --and, this is the spirit.” It is made clear from the argument mentioned above that the Prakrti itself being constituted of various experiences like pain, pleasure, etc., can never make itself free from it, as pain or pleasure is necessarily a part of the essential nature of itself; however we observe a tendency in all persons to make themselves free from such experience of pain and people and seek final beatitude, which is an experience of painlessness.
1 The Tattva Kaumudi, p. 64. Tr.: Ganganath Jha.
For Private And Personal
