Vishva Kartutva Mimansa Evam Jagat Kartutva Mimansa

This Jain text, "Vishva Kartutva Mimansa Evam Jagat Kartutva Mimansa" (On the Inquiry of World Creation and Universe Creation), authored by Acharya Vijay Sushil Suri and Jinottam Vijay, published by Sushil Sahitya Prakashan Samiti, delves into the philosophical question of creation from a Jain perspective.

Core Argument:

The central thesis of the book is that the universe is eternal, without beginning or end, and therefore, it does not have a creator, sustainer, or destroyer. This is a fundamental tenet of Jainism, which posits an atheistic viewpoint regarding a creator God.

Key Points Discussed:

• Critique of Creator God Theories: The book systematically analyzes and refutes the arguments for a creator God, particularly those presented by other Indian philosophical schools like Nyaya and Vaisheshika.
  • It challenges the notion that the universe is a "work" (कार्य) simply because it is complex or appears to have parts.
  • It argues against the idea that the apparent orderliness of the universe necessitates an intelligent designer.
  • It dismisses the argument from analogy, stating that just as a pot is made by a potter, the universe must have a maker.
• Jain Cosmology: The text explains the Jain understanding of the universe as an eternal entity, governed by its own inherent laws and cycles of existence.
  • The universe is composed of eternal substances (dravyas) that undergo continuous transformation.
  • The experiences of beings within the universe (happiness, suffering) are explained by the law of karma, accumulated through their own actions, rather than by the will of a divine creator.
• Rejection of Divine Intervention: The book argues that if an external creator were involved, their involvement would be either through physical action (which would require a body and thus be subject to limitations) or through thought/will. Both are critiqued as insufficient to explain the universe's creation and management without contradictions.
• Emphasis on Self-Reliance and Karma: The Jain emphasis on individual responsibility for one's actions and the consequences (karma) is highlighted as the true mechanism governing existence, not divine intervention.
• Refutation of God's Attributes: The book addresses and questions commonly attributed divine attributes like omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence when linked to creation, finding them contradictory or unsupported by logic.
• Philosophical Reasoning: The author employs logical reasoning, argumentation (tarka), and critical analysis to dismantle theistic creation theories, advocating for the Jain perspective based on reason and scriptural authority (Agamas).
• The Role of the Gurus: The book acknowledges the lineage of Jain Acharyas and their contributions to understanding these principles, implicitly endorsing their teachings. The preface and concluding remarks emphasize the inspiration and guidance of the spiritual lineage.

Structure and Presentation:

The book presents the arguments in Sanskrit and then provides a simple Hindi translation, making the complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience. The structure likely involves presenting arguments, offering counter-arguments, and providing a Jain explanation for each point.

In essence, "Vishva Kartutva Mimansa Evam Jagat Kartutva Mimansa" is a rigorous philosophical treatise that upholds the Jain principle of an uncreated, eternal universe, explaining the order and experiences within it through the lens of karma and inherent cosmic laws, while critically examining and refuting theistic creation doctrines.