________________
252
dreaming state, which has been prevailing since the time without beginning. If the soul realizes that its true nature is beyond that state, it would easily come out of it and gain right perception. By acquiring right perception, it would attain liberation in the sense of realizing its true Self. Contemplation of these Fundamentals can thus lead it to experiencing its own natural purity, perfection, imperishability, and infinite bliss.
Chapter 18: Conclusion
Of the six Fundamentals, the first five need to be properly understood, and the last is meant for practicing. This stanza therefore lays down that if one digests the first five Fundamentals by contemplating over them, and then if he puts into practice what is stated in the sixth, he would surely attain liberation. In other words, if one is convinced of the soul and its wandering, and proceeds on the path of liberation as stated in the sixth, he would reach the destination (liberation). Since liberation (Moksha) is dealt with in the fifth Fundamental, it is said that he would attain the fifth stage. It should be noted that this stanza does not promise that reward to those who merely read or listen to this scripture (Ätmasiddhi Shästra), as is often said or believed. It stipulates the strict conditions of understanding and contemplating the first five Fundamentals, and then earnestly practicing the sixth for attaining the said reward.
દેહ છતાં જેની દશા, વર્તે દેહાતીત;
તે જ્ઞાનીના ચરણમાં, હો વંદન અગણિત.
Jain Education International
1198211
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
