Agammanishi Muni Dulheraj
The concept of self-realization is the base and apex of Jainism. All the tenets, rules and principles revolve around this central point. Self-realization is the aim of all Jain devotees. They direct their soul force exert fully towards it to accomplish it.
This principle has given birth to two vitals thoughts, which in their respective spheres form an integral part in the evolution of the soul.
The first thought is of self-exertion. Jainism says, ‘It is a folly to entrust our future in the hands of a third party. World is eternal. It has no beginning and no end. Hence it is not any bodies.’
Jainism believes in god, not as the creator, protector or destroyer of the world; but as an ideal who has attained that state which is free from any external or internal bondage.
Those who believe God as the creator and controller of the world run the risk of being drowned in the stream of lethargy. They have no faith in their own infinite strength and wisdom. Thus, they become devoid of enthusiasm, their velour sleeps and corrodes the mind which in turn looses its able functioning and fails in a moment. The whole machinery of self-evolution comes to a standstill and disastrous consequences follow in succession.
Self-exertion accelerates the momentum of one’s own activity. Jainism says, ‘Good or bad, all are the fruits of our actions. Soul is dynamic. It is not static. It will always be in action. Every activity of the soul draws material particles from the atmosphere, according to its merit. These particles cover the soul and make it revolve in the cycle of death and birth for our infinite period of time. If the soul exerts to achieve spirituality and adheres to its own dictum, it gets purified gradually and the evolution begins. Karmas which entangle the soul are of two types - bad Karmas bind the soul and give bad fruits whereas the good Karmas free the soul and put forth before it precious opportunities for material prosperity and spiritual progress.
It is clear that Karmas play an important role in shaping the personality of an individual and therefore the conception of the third agent to direct the life of an individual comes to naught.
God is an emblem of purity and sanctity. He is free from all bondages. He is in a state of Bliss. He stays in self-nature. The self-nature is nothing but the constant awareness of self- consciousness. It is devoid of all attributes other than self-existing qualities.
They are eight in number: -
- Omniscience
- Omni perception
- Eternal happiness
- Fully developed vision
- Static Existence
- Formlessness
- Unaffected entity
- Unhindered grace
These are the fundamental attributes of the soul. They unfold themselves as soon as the soul annihilates all the bondages (Karmas). When all the causes are rooted out, the soul sores high and enjoys emancipation from the worldly existence. It becomes free from all causes. As such, the soul never falls in the clutches of incarnation. Once a soul is emancipated, it never returns to this world because the causes for rebirth are annihilated. Cause and effect go together. The effect follows the cause.
The belief in the existence of God is not merely a metaphysical theory but a real philosophy of action which leads to ultimate reality. To attain the state of God is the ultimate aim of man. If this belief is shaken, the whole aim dwindles down. Without an aim, the soul goes nowhere but wanders in the woods of existence forever. Mahavira said,
Have firm belief in God.
Have belief in self.’
Mere belief in divine existence is not enough. It should be associated with right action in right direction. The contemplation of the attributes of God never leads one to perfection. But the constant exertion to manifest those attributes, lying latent within, leads one to eternal light. Only through his constant practice, a man can unfold his strength and prove that the state of God is attainable by proper exertion by all, without any distinction. We must lead a life of active virtue. Mere passive submission to God never works out emancipation or purity in totality.
Hence, exert yourself in the right direction.
You will reach the goal.
