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## Chapter 18: The Great Liberation
This chapter provides guidance on how to conduct oneself (13-17). It states that one should criticize, condemn, and censure those who engage in unrestrained behavior, ignorance, and falsehood, as well as all types of offenses, known and unknown (18-20). Maya (illusion) is described as something to be abandoned, not embraced. A virtuous person should criticize all their own faults, abandoning Maya and pride (21-23).
The chapter then explores the question of who attains liberation. It states that only those who have shed the three poisons of Maya, etc., achieve liberation. These three poisons – falsehood, Maya, and attachment – are described as harmful, hindering the attainment of enlightenment and leading to endless cycles of rebirth if they remain in the mind during the time of meditation (24-29). Therefore, a vigilant seeker strives to eliminate these poisons from their heart to escape rebirth (24-29).
The chapter also advises disciples to confess all their actions and inactions to their guru, and then follow the penance prescribed by the guru (30-32). It emphasizes the need to abandon all forms of violence, falsehood, stealing, sexual misconduct, and attachment in thought, word, and deed. It highlights the 8.4 million species in the world, stating that a soul is born in each of these species countless times (33-40).
The chapter praises the concept of "Pandit-maran" (wise death), stating that parents, siblings, children, etc., are neither protectors nor saviors. Each soul acts alone and experiences the consequences of its actions alone. Individuals should remember the suffering in hell, heaven, and the human realm, as well as the death that awaits even in the heavenly realm, and strive for a wise death. A wise death can end countless cycles of rebirth (41-50).
The chapter concludes by discussing the harmful nature of attachment to food, sensual pleasures, and possessions, urging their abandonment (51-60). It also advises the abandonment of anger, pride, Maya, greed, attachment, hatred, and thirst, and encourages the practice of the five great vows (61-70).