________________
ESSENCE OF SOUL
129
scriptures. In the preachings of Lord Mahavira the pitture of soul is always very clearly marked. Answering the question 'what 18 this Universe" Lord Mahavira says that the universe is an aggregate of the six real substances viz, Dharma, Adharma, Space Time (Kaal) Matter (Pudgal) and Soul 17 In this way according to Lord Mahavira, soul is considered to be a real and eternal substance The potent questions of life which Lord Buddha bye-passed by calling them 'undeterminable' were answered by Lord Mahavira in a simple and straightforward manner The words used by Lord Mahavira to give those answers were very simple but they conveyed very deep meanings.18
From the point of view of substance one soul is finite. Spatially it occupies innumerable space-points but is finite Temporally it existed in the past, it exists in the present and it will exist for ever It is perpetual and eternal In its intrinsic spirit the soul | is knowledge, faith, conduct, and is neither heavy nor light In model expressions it is infinite and eternal.
1
Explaining why there is happiness and misery in life Lord Mahavira said that the soul itself is the creator of its own happiness or misery as it associates itself either with good or bad deeds, and is in itself its own friend and foe
In his preachings, Lord Mahavira has discussed
17
Uttradhyan Sutra 28 18 Bhagwati Shatak 2-1
1
1
