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A Treatise on Jainism
is incorrect. Twentythree Teerthankaras existed before Lord Mahavir flourished. In their times also Jainism flourished and before that also Jainism existed. Teerthankaras who appear from time to time by their extraodinary perception and knowledge bring the fundamental principles into light again. They preach them, propound them and also spread them. The souls of Teerthankaras, from the very moment of their births, are gifted with superb knowledge and are very highly meritorious. They renounce their kingly status, cast aside their riches and worldly pleasures and adopt asceticism. By the performance of extremely severe penances they destroy all the sins accumulated during their past births and burn the Karmas, inculcate a spirit of equanimity towards friends and foes both and attain the status of Veetaraga i.e. where there is no attachment or hatred towards anyone, and gain omniscient knowledge and all pervading perception.
Those souls (Atmas) who have thus become Parmatmas are of two kinds : (1) Jeevanmukta and (2) Videhmukta. Those who have destroyed four Ghati Karmas viz. (1)
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