Heart of Jainism

SR No.: 011099
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publication Year: 1915
Total Pages: 365
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 29 MB

Page 123

FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
97 Nāraki; those born in a state lower than human and inhabit. ing the bodies of insects, birds, reptiles, animals, or plants are named Tiryañc; Manuşya are jiva born as human beings; and those who are born as spirits, whether gods or demons, are called Devatā. These four possible places of birth are shown in the accompanying Svastika sign, which is constantly seen in Jaina books and temples.
Devata
Manusya
Tiryañć
Nāraki
Jiva may be classified in five ways, according to the iv. Five number of senses it possesses, as Ekendriya, Be-indriya, 2 classes. Tri-indriya, Corendriya, and Pañćendriya.3
Ekendriya jiva possess only one sense, the sense of touch, iv (a). but have four prāņa : touch, body, the power of exhaling
Ekendri
ya jiva. and inhaling, and the allotted term of life.
They are subdivided into Pșithvikāya, Apakāya, Teukāya, Vāyukāya, and Vanaspatikāya. Things belonging to the earth, such as stones, 4 lumps of clay, salts, chalk, diamonds and other minerals, are called Pșithvīkāya ekendriya. Though ordinary persons are unable to perceive in these the power of suffering, yet a Kevali can do so, for he sees that they have four prāņa, including the power of breathing and of touch. The longest span for which a jīva can be
"A Vedāntist would not use the word devatā to express an evil spirit, and this has sometimes led to confusion.
2 Sanskrit Dvindriya, Trindriya, Caturindriya, Pañċindriya.
3 It is interesting to compare these divisions with those of Gośāla, which they much resemble.
• Dr. Jacobi shows how this and the other animistic beliefs of Jainism point to its antiquity. S. B. E., xlv, p. xxxiii.
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