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Sixth Doubt regarding Means of Liberation
belonging to a particular caste or creed are eligible for liberation. Some restrict the eligibility to males only. Many of them also insist upon a particular dress for the spiritual aspirants. There are also different opinions about the color of dress. Hindu monks insist on saffron color, Buddhists insist on a yellowish tinge; Jain Shwetambars insist on a white garb, while Digambars insist upon remaining unclad. Since there are too many differences on such issues, it is not possible to decide which belief is right and which needs to be followed.
Bee
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ની મા' હિUાચી ? yale yazi duell, all Gusa y alla
ley
Tethi Em Janay Chhe, Male Na Moksha Jpay:
Livadi Jänya Tano, Sho Upakarja Thay?
1195)
It therefore seems that we cannot get to the means of liberation; what purpose can then be served by knowing the soul and related matters? (95)
Explanation & Discussion: The pupil feels that it may not be possible to figure out the right path and the means of liberation. In that case one cannot pursue the objective of liberation, and will therefore have to stay in the worldly life. As such, knowing about soul, its acquiring of Karma, bearing the consequences etc. would be of no use. That knowledge would be worthwhile, only if it can be used for attaining the liberation; otherwise it is not going to serve any useful purpose
This does not mean that the pupil seriously thinks that there is no reliable way of attaining liberation. After learning about the liberation, he feels sure that there must be a way of attaining it. He is intent upon pursuing it,
175
