Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
Question arises whether the nature of the relationship between soul and matter is material or non-material. During its worldly existence, the soul is not absolutely non-material. So, the nature of relationship between the two can be assumed as material. As per the Bhagavatī Sūtra, this relation is not resultant, either of the soul or of the matter alone, but this relation is caused by both together. Soul and matter are involved in the process of bondage as cooperative partners. This truth is revealed in the term 'sneha pratibaddha'. Soul has adhesive kind of quality, which is called Āśrava i.e. cause of influx of karma and propensity of matter of being attracted and assimilated to the soul is due to its viscosity. This bilateral 'affection' establishes intimate relationship between the two. On this basis, the description of the relation becomes quite easy.[1] Acharya Amritcandra has explained the mode of affection that occurs in the soul, as due to its beginning-less association with matter in Tattvadipikāvṛtti.[2] Relation of the soul and matter takes place in many forms such as possession of body, intake of food, karmic bondage, fruition of karma etc.
Analogy of Nada (Small River)
The very style of writing Jain āgama literature is that mostly it does not resort to logic for the explanation of reality, but to explain the subject under discussion through practical examples to satisfy the curiosity of the reader. To explain the relation of soul with karma, Bhagavatī presents an example of small river. Lord Mahavira answering to Gautam's question with an example of a rivulet, says - Gautam! Suppose there is a lake that is full, full to the brim, overflowing, then even in such a situation, O Gautam! does the boat, with water constantly flowing in through the inlets and the pores become full to the brim, overflowing, ever swelling and evenly full with water like a pitcher? Gautam replied, 'Yes it does so. For this reason, Gautam! it is said that the souls and the material bodies exist bound with each other, in contact with each other, pervading each other, stuck with each other through mutual attraction and remain unified with each other through mutual identification.' From this statement of Bhagavatī, it becomes evident that soul and karmas (material bodies) are unified with each other.[3]
