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504
The Mahapurana is revered by quadrupeds and other species of the Tiryancha. It is marked by thirty-four special excellences, and its rise is characterized by unique knowledge, unique vision, unique happiness, and unique strength, all arising from the soul itself. It is adorned with the beauty of the body, and it is associated with the seven supreme realms, including the realm of the gods. It is endowed with eight virtues and has destroyed the four karmic poisons. It is known by a thousand and eight names, beginning with Vrishabha, and it has blossomed the lotus forest of the Bhavyas.
Approaching the Lord Vrishabhadeva, who had thus manifested, the Chakravarti Bharat, with hands folded like a budding lotus, worshipped him and asked about the nature of Dharma. The Lord then said:
"The virtuous man who removes his disciples from the path of misery and leads them to the highest realm is called Dharma. Dharma has four aspects: Samyagdarshan, Samyagjnana, Samyakcharitra, and Samyaktapa. This Dharma is primarily about duty." (287-303)
"The true faith in the seven principles, including the soul, which arises spontaneously or through the teachings of others, is called Samyagdarshan." (304)
"This Samyagdarshan is free from doubts and other defects, and it is analyzed through three aspects: Aupashmik, Kshayik, and Kshayopa-shmik. In other words, there are three types of Samyagdarshan based on the nature of the emotions. The absence of doubt, wrong perception, and indecision, and the true knowledge of the seven principles, including the soul, is called Samyagjnana. The conduct that prevents the inflow of karma is called Charitra or Samyama." (305-306)
"The practice that leads to the destruction of karma is called Tapa. These four aspects, when accompanied by passions, are the causes of heaven, and when free from passions, are the causes of both heaven and liberation for those who seek the welfare of the soul. These four are the paths to liberation, and they are difficult to attain for beings." (307-308)
"Falsehood, violation of vows, (incontinence), negligence, passions, and auspicious and inauspicious karmic formations are the causes of karmic bondage for beings." (309)
1. Excellence. 2. The soul is the cause of the attribute. 3. Strength is characterized by knowledge, vision, faith, and conduct. 4. Beautiful, as described in the seven realms. 5. The highest state of liberation. 6. The Bhavyas. 7. To remove from the path of misery. 8. Therefore, because of this. 9. Compassionate. 10. Through the teachings of others. 11. Defined by the aspects of Aupashmik, Kshayik, and Kshayopa-shmik. 12. From the destruction. 13. Passionate.