Analyzing Jain Philosophy of Language and Mantra
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Analyzing Jain Philosophy of Language and Mantra
Part 2
10/15/2025
Based on 2025 | “Introduction to Jain Philosophy of Language,” by Cogen Bohanec | In Mantra Jñāna: A Passage Through the Sūkṣma Śarīra, based on the Writings and Discourses by Ācārya Sushil Kumar | By Parveen Jain | Edited by Cogen Bohanec.
In the realm of philosophical inquiry, the Jain philosophy of language offers a distinct and nuanced perspective that diverges significantly from other Indian philosophical traditions. This philosophy emphasizes the fluidity and non-eternality of languages, underscoring an intricate connection with the soul, which is central to Jain metaphysics.
Unlike certain Hindu philosophies that regard Sanskrit as an eternal language, Jain philosophy perceives languages as dynamic, continually evolving entities. This view posits that the concept of a singular, eternal language is incompatible with the Jain understanding of reality. From the Jain perspective, language serves as a tool for communication that is not bound by eternity but is instead shaped by cultural, geographical, and temporal contexts. This perspective aligns Jain thought with philosophies like Nyāya-vaiśeṣika and Sāṃkhya, which also perceive language as transient and developmental rather than eternal and unconstructed. For the Jains, language is a flexible, evolving phenomenon that reflects the diverse contexts in which it arises.
Moreover, Jain philosophy extends the concept of language beyond its external manifestations, viewing it as a capacity inherent in all souls. According to Jain metaphysics, this capacity is eternal because souls, or jīvas, themselves are eternal. Thus, language is not something that is acquired or learned in the conventional sense but is an intrinsic ability of the jīva. This leads to a realist interpretation regarding the linguistic capacity of souls, although it simultaneously rejects the notion of an objective linguistic existence external to living beings. In essence, language, as conceived in Jain philosophy, is more about the potentiality embedded within the soul rather than a fixed external system.
Jain philosophy also challenges traditional notions of linguistic relationships, particularly the relationship between signifiers (words or symbols) and their signified (meanings or entities). In Jain thought, this relationship is not objectively real but is conventionally established. Unlike the absolute idealism found in some Brahmanical traditions, Jains maintain that linguistic relationships do not exist independently of consciousness. The signifier-signified relationship is seen as conventional and contextual, posing a challenge to the intrinsic connections posited by other philosophical schools such as varṇa-vāda. This perspective aligns with the Jain doctrine of anekānta-vāda, which advocates for a multiplicity of viewpoints and interpretations, emphasizing the subjective nature of reality.
Despite the conventional nature of linguistic relationships, Jain philosophy contends that these relationships are not entirely arbitrary. This stands in stark contrast to the principles of Saussurean semiotics, which asserts that signification is arbitrary. According to Jain thought, the sounds and vibrations of words have a relation to the vibrations of objects, suggesting a non-random, phonetic likeness that can be perceived by practitioners. This introduces a level of causal efficacy in linguistic relationships, wherein human-produced sounds can influence material entities. Thus, language is imbued with a kind of power that transcends mere representation, allowing it to affect reality in tangible ways.
This belief in the power of language is further exemplified by the Jain emphasis on mantras. Jain philosophy attributes significant power to mantras, viewing them as tools to invoke the inherent potentials and capabilities of the jīva. These potentials include notions of infinite power, consciousness, and happiness. When practiced with austerity, mantras aid in shedding karmic layers, thus unlocking the immense capabilities of the soul. The sonic and vibrational qualities of mantras are believed to affect material reality due to their vibrational likeness to the entities they influence. This reflects a profound belief in the interconnectedness of sound, consciousness, and reality, with mantras serving as a bridge between the internal and external worlds.
Jain philosophy provides a multifaceted and holistic approach to language, intricately intertwining it with the eternal nature of the soul and the dynamic, changing aspects of reality. Language, in this view, is both a capacity of the soul and a conventionally established system, offering a complex middle ground between the extremes of eternal realism and artificial nominalism. Through anekānta-vāda, Jains synthesize various philosophical insights, providing a comprehensive understanding of language that respects both its conventional nature and its capacity for real influence in the world. This perspective challenges rigid categorizations and encourages an appreciation for the subtle interplay between language, consciousness, and reality, highlighting the potential of language as both an expressive and transformative force.
If you are interested in learning more on this topic, consider the Master of Arts in Engaged Jain Studies—a fully-online graduate program offered by Claremont School of Theology (CST). Arihanta Institute faculty are engaged at CST as Adjunct Faculty members under an academic agreement, contributing their expertise and teaching courses within this concentration. Learn More.
Cogen Bohanec, MA, PhD holds the position of Assistant Professor in Sanskrit and Jain Studies at Arihanta Institute where he teaches various courses on Jain philosophy and its applications. He received his doctorate in Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion from the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California where his research emphasized comparative dharmic traditions and the philosophy of religion. He teaches several foundational self-paced, online courses based in Jain philosophy, yoga, ecology, languages, and interfaith peace-building, including: