Q. The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by (UPSC Prelims 2011)
Answer:
Universal Law
Notes: The correct answer is
Universal Law (Vishwa Vidhan). Jainism is a unique Indian philosophy because it is
atheistic in its cosmological view, meaning it does not believe in a creator god or a supreme being who designed the universe.
- No Creator God: According to Jain doctrine, the universe is eternal (shashwat). It was never created, and it will never be destroyed. Therefore, the idea of a "Divine Creator" is rejected.
- Self-Regulating Universe: Jainism teaches that the world functions according to its own internal, eternal laws. These laws are based on the interaction of Jiva (living souls) and Ajiva (non-living matter like space, time, and motion).
- Universal Law (Vishwa Vidhan): The maintenance of the world—including the cycles of time (Avasarpini and Utsarpini) and the laws of Karma—is governed by this "Universal Law." Everything happens due to the nature of substances (Dravya) rather than the whim of a deity.