Dr. Samani Chaitanya Pragya
The text Ācārāṅga mentions four synonyms of soul[39]—prāṇi, Bhūta, Jīva and sattva to indicate living beings in general, without differentiating them. The same words are found in the Bh.S[40] with their etymological meanings. The Bh.S has defined them accurately. However, the Bh.S and the commentator Śīlāṅka[41] have indicated that each term represents different classes of living beings as shown in the following table. The point to note here is that all these terms exhibit observable, physical qualities of the living entities.
In the Bh.S. twenty- three synonyms have been given for soul (jīva) and in Dhavalā twenty synonyms. Everywhere, however, the four-words—prani, Bhuta, Jiva and sattva are commonly used for soul.
Besides, in the Bh.S[42] and also in other works we do not see any difference between jīva and prāṇi. Jiva also means vitality (prāṇa) because jiva lives on account of it. We find the same meaning in Pravacanasāra [43], also it has clearly been stated that one who lived, lives and will live due to four kinds of prāṇas, which are physical in nature, are known as jīva.
| Table: 4 Meaning of the Synonyms of the Living Being | ||
|---|---|---|
| Terms | Bh.S | Śhilāṅka Commentary |
| 1. Prāṇa | that which has the capacity of breathing in and out or inhaling and exhaling. | Two to four sensed living beings (mobiles) |
| 2. Bhūta | that which existed, exists and will exist. | One-sensed beings (plants etc. or immobiles) |
| 3. Jīva | that which lives and experiences life and life-span karma. | Five-sensed beings |
| 4. Sattva | that affected by auspicious and inauspicious karma. | All the living beings |
The existence of vitalities is the most important property of the living beings. That is why the text Dhavala [44] refers to vitalities as the cause or instruments of livingness.
In fact, 'prāṇa' is translated as life principle, life force, life-wind, vital air and vitality. The canons in general[45] and the Bh.S in particular[46] mention briefly four kinds of vitalities, viz., (i) strength, (ii) senses, (iii) respirations and (iv) duration or life-span or age. The four are sub-classified into ten types: (i-iii) three strengths of physique, speech and mind, (iv-viii) five senses as known popularly and (ix-x) the last two are respiration and duration of life-span. The lowest class of living beings has at least four vitalities out of the ten. The number of vitalities increases according to the development of the living beings. This is shown in the following table.
| Table: 5 Vitalities and Paryāpti among Living Beings | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Living Being | Names of Vitalities | No. of Paryāpti |
| 1. One-sensed beings | 4, sense organ of touch, power of physique, respiration, life-span | 04 |
| 2. Two-sensed beings | 6, 2 senses, physical and vocal power, respiration, life span. | 05 |
| 3. Three-sensed beings | 7, 3 senses, 2 powers, respiration and life-span | 05 |
| 4. Four-sensed beings | 8, 4 senses, 2 strengths, respiration, life-span | 05 |
| 5. Five sensed beings without mind | 9, 5 senses, 2 powers, respiration, life-span | 05 |
| 6. Five-sensed beings with mind | 10, 5 senses, 3 powers, respiration, life-span | 06 |
| 7. Five sensed beings bio-potential not completed | 7, 5 senses, physique-power, life-span | 06 |
| 8. Four-sensed-beings with bio-potential not-completed | 6, 4 senses, power physique, life-span | 05 |
| 9. Three-sensed beings with bio-potential not-completed | 5, 3 senses, power of physique, life-span | 05 |
| 10. Two-sensed beings with bio-potential not-completed | 4, 2 senses, power of psyque, life-span | 05 |
| 11. One-sensed beings with bio-potential not-completed | 3, 1sense, physique strength, life-span | 04 |
| 12. Beings of 13th spiritual stage | 4, physique and vocal strength, respiration, and life-span | — |
| 13. Beings of 14th spiritual stage | 1-3, (i) life-span only (ii) respiration and life-span (iii) respiration, lifespan, strength of physique | — |
