जोइन्दु की परमात्मा-विषयक धारणा
Summary
The text discusses the concept of the Supreme Soul (Paramatma) as presented by the poet Joindu, who is influenced by Jain philosophy and wrote in the Apabhramsha language. Joindu’s works, "Paramatma Prakash" and "Yoga Sara," reveal the true nature and state of the soul. According to Joindu, the basis of the world’s order is the life principle (jiva). All actions of body, mind, and speech are performed by this principle. When it takes birth in the worldly state, it is called jiva; otherwise, due to its inherent nature of knowledge and perception, it is known as the soul (atma). The highest state of spiritual development of the jiva, free from all karmas, is called Paramatma. Joindu considers the jiva itself to be Paramatma from a certain perspective. The seeds of divinity are present in every jiva, requiring recognition of its true nature and the destruction of all karmic matter. The soul’s gradual spiritual development occurs through fourteen stages (gunasthanas), progressing from the external soul (bahiratma) to the inner soul (antaratma) and finally to the supreme soul (paramatma). Joindu describes Paramatma as possessing infinite attributes, being free from birth, death, and worldly pleasures and pains, and residing in its own pure form, enjoying infinite bliss. He distinguishes between the causal Paramatma, which exists in all beings as pure consciousness, and the resultant Paramatma, which are liberated souls (siddhas) who have destroyed all karmas. He also differentiates between the embodied supreme soul (arhat) and the disembodied supreme soul (siddha). Joindu emphasizes that through proper practice of external and internal austerities and meditation, the worldly jiva can become free from all karmic bonds and attain the state of Paramatma.
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Conclusion
Joindu's conception of the soul's journey provides a clear, actionable path for spiritual development, moving from a state of ignorance (bahiratma) through self-awareness (antaratma) to ultimate liberation (paramatma). The key implication is that every living being inherently possesses the potential for divinity, with the primary obstacle being karmic bondage rather than any inherent limitation. The document's outcome emphasizes that through disciplined practice—specifically external and internal austerity combined with meditative absorption—one can systematically dismantle karmic veils. This process culminates in the realization of one's true nature as pure consciousness, characterized by infinite knowledge, perception, energy, and bliss. Ultimately, Joindu's framework democratizes spiritual attainment, asserting that any individual who follows this developmental path can transcend worldly suffering and achieve the permanent, blissful state of a perfected being, residing at the summit of the universe.