Words may be finite, but emotions are infinite — this is a universal law. Like an ocean in a droplet, deep truths can be hidden in the smallest of visuals. Today marks the beginning of a transformative journey — the essence of Jain philosophy, its science, its logic, and its spiritual precision.
Until now, everything we explored was only the outer layer of Jainism. But from today, we embark on a deeper quest into its Tattva Gyaan (essential knowledge). This isn’t just theology — it is a science so powerful that anyone who understands and trusts in it can attain liberation from all karmic bondage.
For the next 15 days, we will explore the nine core elements of Jain Tattva Gyaan:
- Jiv (Soul)
- Ajiv (Non-Soul)
- Punya (Virtue)
- Paap (Sin)
- Asrav (Influx of Karma)
- Samvar (Stopping Karma)
- Nirjara (Shedding Karma)
- Bandh (Bondage of Karma)
- Moksha (Liberation)
These nine are essentially grouped into three broad categories: Jiv, Ajiv, and Karma. Technically, even Karma is Ajiv, so the division simplifies into Jiv and Ajiv — Soul and Non-Soul.
Day 1: Jiv (Soul) and Ajiv (Non-Soul)
Let us begin by understanding two fundamental elements: the Soul (Jiv) and the Non-Soul (Ajiv). Take for example, our hair or nails. Cut them, and nothing happens — because they are Ajiv, lifeless. But pull a hair out from your head, and you feel pain — because it is connected to the living Jiv. This contrast illustrates the importance of distinguishing what is Jiv and what is Ajiv.
Science, as taught in schools, limits itself to biology — plant cells and animal cells. According to science, these define life. Jainism disagrees. These are bodily cells, not Soul. The body is composed of cells, but the Soul is consciousness — knowledge — not matter.
Science doesn’t recognize life in earth, water, fire, or air. But Jainism does. Water itself is a living being, not just a medium containing bacteria. Every water molecule has a soul, something science still does not acknowledge.
Jainism teaches that the soul is a conscious, eternal, unbreakable entity. Science may show us a chicken, and a child might say, “I love chicken” — but by loving it, we justify killing it. That’s the contradiction of material science — it teaches possession and sensory pleasure, not spiritual sensitivity.
Children are now taught that life is cells, and hence their understanding of Self is limited to what they see under a microscope. Jainism urges us to think beyond the box.
Jainism vs. Modern Science
Modern science sees a fetus as non-living until three months — Jainism sees life from the moment of conception. When you send your child to a convent school that teaches only this material understanding, you unintentionally distance them from spiritual truth. That’s the greatest sin — ignorance.
The worst sin isn’t eating papad on a forbidden day. It’s raising a child without spiritual wisdom — making ignorance their religion. That is how Jainism is fading from homes — replaced with dry, soulless science.
Who Are You? Body or Soul?
Try asking children if they can light firecrackers in their hands. They’ll say no — their hands would burn. Why? Because they feel — because the soul resides in the body. But a dead body feels nothing — because the soul is gone.
Children understand that the body and soul are different. But adults forget. We eat, sleep, work, and talk — all through the body. Where is the soul? In rituals, we focus more on comfort than consciousness. Even spirituality becomes physical.
To experience the soul is the real meaning of Jain practice like Samayik (meditative state). Not just repeating scriptures, but realizing through Guru’s guidance what the soul truly is.
What Is the Soul?
The soul is not visible, touchable, or measurable. It has no color, taste, or smell. It’s pure consciousness, an entity made of knowledge. Like electricity flows through a wire unseen, the soul flows through life.
There are no new souls, no disappearing souls. Souls are infinite and eternal. They don’t increase or decrease. They just move — across hell, animals, humans — in a cosmic rotation determined by Karma.
The body is perishable. The soul is unborn, undying, and eternally existent. This is not a theory; it’s a phenomenon — just like electricity, unseen but real.
Conclusion: Begin the Inner Journey
From today, begin distinguishing Jiv and Ajiv — soul and body, living being and non-living thing. The soul is not a living thing — it is a living being. It is not what moves, it is what feels, knows, and experiences. It is pure energy, pure knowledge, and divine potential.
Jainism isn’t about rules like not frying snacks — it’s about realizing your infinite self. Let us break free from the shallow teachings of material science and embrace the limitless wisdom of Tattva Gyaan.
This is the start of a sacred journey — 15 days of profound learning. Stay connected, stay awakened.