Indian Philosophy v2.c24.s19.56

v2.c24.s19.56

The plurality of souls is inferred from differences in status, the variety of conditions.³ The scriptural injunctions assume the distinctness of souls.⁴ Each soul undergoes the consequences of its own deeds.⁵ It remains one throughout the series of its experiences.⁶ Śrīdhara repudiates the view of the oneness of self.⁷ There would be no risk of the absolute dissolution of the world by the emancipation of the souls from it, since their number is infinite. The pluralistic bias of the Vaiśeṣika leads its followers to look upon plurality as ultimate. The freed souls are conceived as eternally existing with specific differences.⁸ Though each soul is supposed to be distinguished by a peculiarity (viśeṣa), it is impossible for us to know what it is. The differences among souls are due to their connections with bodies. Even in rebirth the manas accompanies the soul and gives it individuality. For all practical purposes the distinctiveness of the soul is determined by the distinctiveness of the manas, which accompanies it throughout its career. There are as many of them as there are souls. As the same manas accompanies the soul throughout its career, there is the possibility of the continuity as well as the survival of character.¹ A distinction is made between the individual soul and the supreme soul, jīva and Īśvara.² The two are similar but not identical.