Jagadish Chandra Chatterji

Hindu Realism

B—The Synthetic Aspect

The Moral Purpose of the Universe.

The Universe Is Created and Exists for a Moral Purpose.

6. But if in this system and hierarchy, to be born in a particular situation, and to have a particular situation, and to have a particular measure of control and influence over others, means merely the actualisation—more or less partial—of one’s potential worth (Adrishta), it follows that the various situations and spheres of influences are themselves nothing but the direct results of the worths themselves. That is to say, they are created by the Atmans themselves by their own activities (Karma). That a situation, which follows immediately a certain act or acts done by a man, is created by that act or acts, nobody doubts. But, if an immediate consequence can be the creation of a particular act or acts, there is no reason why we should not regard deferred consequences of acts also as such. And as actualisation of Adrishtas is nothing but the realization of the deferred results of acts performed in the past, all situations and spheres of influence in which beings are born or continue to exist by virtue of actualised Adrishtas, are as much the creations of their own acts of body or mind as those which follow immediately other acts which they may perform. And as every situation or grade of existence and sphere of influence in the Universe is only the actualisation of the Adrishta of some experiencing entity, it follows that the whole Universe is a creation, or is a result of the acts of experiencing beings.¹ That is to say, the Universe exists for a moral purpose, supplying for the experiencing beings, their various situations and spheres of influence, according to their worths,—each situation or sphere of influence serving as a means on the part of a being getting its share of experience, its meed of joy or of sorrow and suffering according as it deserves. But if the Universe is merely an actualisation of the potential worths of beings and is created by the acts, and for the experience, of Atmans, it is so created, (that is to say, moulded into shape) of course, out of the ingredients, and with the assistance of the various powers or forces, which have existed eternally.

Footnotes

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