Jiva

MIND, MATTER AND GOD : JIVA, JADA AND ISVARA
M.M.NINAN
The measure of the partless atoms is known as parimaṇḍala parimāṇa. It is eternal and
it cannot generate the measure of any other substance. Its measure is its own
absolutely.
The Vaisheshikas say that the visible universe is created from an original stock of atoms
(janim asataḥ). As Kaṇāda's Vaiśeṣika Sūtra (7.1.26) states, “nityaṃ parimaṇḍalam”
(that which is of the smallest size, the atom, is eternal), he and his followers also
postulate eternality for other, nonatomic entities, including the souls who become
embodied, and even a Supreme Soul.
7. The seventh category is called Abhāva or non-existence. (Kaṇāda does not mention
this as a separate category) Other six categories are positive and this is negative. Other
categories are absolute and this is relative in its conception. Being a realistic school,
Vaiśeṣika holds that knowledge of the object that is negated is different from the object
that is negated. Non-existence is of four kinds:
Antecedent non-existence or Prāghabhāva
Subsequent non-existence or Pradhvaṁsābhāva
Mutual non-existence or Anyonyābhāva
Absolute non-existence or Atyantābhāva
Vaiśeṣikas believe in the plurality of the souls which they infer from the differences that
exist between the individuals. In the state of liberation, the soul remains free from all
contacts associated with the body.
But in Vaiśeṣika cosmology the souls and the Supersoul play only token roles in the
atomic production of the universe. The Brahma Sutra (2.2.12) says:
“ubhayathāpi na karmatas tad-abhavaḥ”.
One cannot claim that, at the time of creation, atoms first combine together because
they are impelled by some karmic impulse adhering in the atoms themselves, since
atoms by themselves, in their primeval state before combining into complex objects,
have no ethical responsibility that might lead them to acquire pious and sinful reactions.
Nor can the initial combination of atoms be explained as a result of the residual karma
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