Jagatkartutva Mimansa

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jagatkartutva Mimansa" by Balchandra Maharaj, based on the provided pages. The text is a philosophical treatise that critically examines the concept of a creator God for the universe from a Jain perspective.

Book Title: Jagatkartutva Mimansa (A Treatise on the Creator of the Universe) Author: Yativarya Shri Balchandraji Maharaj Publisher: Shrawak Moolchand, Wadi Lal of Akola Publication Year: Veer Samvat 2435 (corresponding to 1909 CE) Price: Eight Annas First Edition: 1000 copies

Overall Theme: The central theme of "Jagatkartutva Mimansa" is the Jain refutation of the idea of an external creator God. The author, Balchandra Maharaj, systematically analyzes and dismantles the arguments for a creator deity, presenting the Jain philosophical standpoint that the universe is eternal, uncreated, and governed by its own inherent principles.

Key Arguments and Content:

1. Introduction and Author's Pedigree:

   • The book is dedicated to the author, Yativarya Shri Balchandraji Maharaj, a resident of Khamgaon.
   • The publishers are Shravak Moolchand and Wadi Lal of Vadnagar, Akola.
   • The book is printed by Gauri Shanker Lal at Chandraprabha Press, Benares.
   • The text includes a brief biographical sketch of Ganiji Shri Kevalchandji Maharaj (Pages 7-15). This section details his birth in 1885 Vikram Samvat, his noble upbringing, his early inclination towards Jainism, his initiation into monastic life in 1903 VS, and his significant contributions to the Jain community, including organizing large religious pilgrimages. This biographical section serves to highlight the intellectual and spiritual lineage from which the author draws inspiration.

2. The Central Argument: Rejection of a Creator God (Pages 15-101):

   • The Problem of a Creator: The author begins by addressing the prevalent belief among various religions (Vedic, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Shaakta, Shaiva, Vaishnava, Muslim, Christian) in a creator God. He argues that this belief is based on flawed reasoning and leads to numerous logical inconsistencies and contradictions.
   • Critique of Vedic Arguments: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to analyzing Vedic scriptures (Rigveda, Taittiriya Brahmana, Upanishads). The author points out the contradictions and inconsistencies within the Vedas themselves regarding the creation process. He highlights verses that suggest different creation sequences or even acknowledge the unknowability of the origin of the universe.
   • Logical Fallacies in Theism: Balchandra Maharaj systematically breaks down the common arguments for God's existence:
     • The Argument from Design: The complexity and order of the universe are often cited as evidence of a designer. The author counters this by explaining that these phenomena are a result of inherent principles and natural evolution governed by karma and the nature of substances (dravya).
     • Causality Argument (First Cause): The argument that everything must have a cause, leading to an uncaused First Cause (God). The Jain perspective is that the universe is eternal (anadi) and thus has no beginning, negating the need for a first cause.
     • Ineffability of God: When faced with logical inconsistencies, proponents often resort to the argument that God's nature is beyond human comprehension. The author dismisses this as a way to evade rational debate and critical inquiry.
   • Jain Philosophy of the Universe: The core of the book presents the Jain view:
     • Eternality and Uncreated Nature: The universe and its constituent substances (dravyas) are eternal and have no beginning or end. They undergo continuous transformation but are never created or destroyed.
     • Karma as the Governing Principle: The dynamics of the universe, including the cycle of birth and death, the qualities and experiences of beings, and the unfolding of events, are governed by the law of karma. Karma is an inherent principle, not an external judgment.
     • Self-Sufficient Substances: Each substance (soul, matter, space, time, medium of motion, medium of rest) has its own inherent nature and functions independently.
   • Detailed Refutation of Theistic Concepts:
     • Omnipotence and Inactivity: If God is all-powerful, why does suffering and imperfection exist? If God is not involved, how can He be omnipotent?
     • God's Motive: What reason would an eternally perfect being have to create a flawed universe? Arguments like "play" (lila) or "desire to multiply" (eko'ham bahu syam) are critiqued as anthropomorphic and illogical.
     • Contradictions in God's Attributes: The author highlights the inherent contradictions in attributing both formlessness (nirakar) and the ability to create material objects (sakara creation), or being without desire (viragi) yet creating out of desire.
     • The Problem of Evil: The existence of suffering, inequity, and vice is presented as a direct challenge to the notion of a benevolent and omnipotent creator.
     • Critique of Divine Incarnations: The book scrutinizes the stories of divine avatars (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) from Hindu traditions, pointing out their human-like flaws, desires, and limitations, thus questioning their divine nature and role as creators or controllers.
     • Critique of Religious Authorities and Scriptures: The author questions the claims of divine authorship of scriptures (like the Vedas) by pointing out internal contradictions, evolving interpretations, and the influence of human authorship. He also touches upon the claims of other religions (Islam, Christianity) and their scriptural authority, suggesting a need for critical evaluation across all traditions.
   • The Jain Syadvada (Anekantavada): The author subtly weaves in the Jain principle of Syadvada (relativism or conditioned predication), suggesting that truth can be viewed from multiple perspectives. He uses this to highlight the multifaceted nature of reality, which is often oversimplified by monotheistic arguments. He argues that the Jain view of anekantavada inherently resolves the contradictions found in other philosophical systems.

3. The Role of Scriptures and Scholars (Pages 77-99):

   • The text engages with the interpretations of various scholars, including Adi Shankaracharya and others, highlighting their philosophical arguments and the author's counter-arguments.
   • It addresses the Vedic concept of paurusheya (man-made) versus apaurusheya (non-man-made) scriptures, arguing for a human origin of Vedic hymns based on internal evidence.
   • The author also references the works of prominent Jain scholars like Hemachandracharya and Hari Bhadra Suri to support his points.

4. The Jain Path to Liberation:

   • While the primary focus is on refuting a creator God, the book implicitly emphasizes the Jain path to liberation (moksha). This path is achieved through self-effort, adherence to ethical principles (non-violence, truthfulness, non-possession, etc.), and the purification of the soul from karmic bonds, rather than through divine grace or intervention.
   • Shravak Dharma and Yati Dharma: The text outlines the ethical duties and practices for both lay followers (Shravak Dharma) and ascetics (Yati Dharma), as taught by the Tirthankaras, which are the means to spiritual progress and eventual liberation.

5. Conclusion and Call for Critical Thinking:

   • The author concludes by urging readers to engage in critical thinking, to cast away blind faith and prejudice, and to seek truth through reason and evidence.
   • He asserts that the Jain philosophy, which posits an uncreated, eternal universe governed by inherent principles, is the most rational and free from contradictions.
   • The book is presented as a contribution to disseminating true Jain principles in vernacular languages for the benefit of the common populace.

Key Takeaways:

• Rejection of External Creator: The fundamental Jain doctrine that the universe is eternal and uncreated, without a divine maker, is strongly advocated.
• Karma as Universal Law: Karma is presented as the sole governing principle, explaining the order and diversity of the universe.
• Critique of Theistic Logic: The book offers a rigorous philosophical critique of traditional arguments for God's existence.
• Emphasis on Jain Ethics and Philosophy: It implicitly champions the Jain path of self-reliance, ethical conduct, and spiritual discipline as the means to liberation.
• Importance of Reason and Inquiry: The author encourages an open-minded, rational approach to religious and philosophical questions.
• Ancient Origins of Jainism: The text implicitly argues for the antiquity and intellectual depth of Jainism, often positioning it as more ancient and coherent than Vedic or other theistic traditions.

In essence, "Jagatkartutva Mimansa" is a profound philosophical work that serves as a cornerstone of Jain epistemological and metaphysical thought, dismantling the concept of a creator God and presenting a self-sufficient, eternally evolving universe guided by the principles of karma and the inherent nature of substances.