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soul can be a portion of God.., for God himself will be the cause of ignorance etc, and if it is true than he ceases to be God."
Here it is important to understand the difference between Jina/Arihanta and Tirthankara in Jainism. Jina or Kevali is the pure soul in human body which had annihilated all the four obscuring karmas and hence becomes omniscient (Sarvajna) and totally detached (Vitaragi) from all external things (physical and psychical and in delivering the sermons of spiritual beneficence to his followers (Hitopadesh). Tirthankara is also an Arihanta but he establishes the creed and enables a number of his followers to attain liberation (Moksha) during his own life time and later on.
The above explanation of Jina is similar to Gandhi's statement of pure soul" and the interpretation of Sthitprajna (stanza II.5572 in Anasakti Yoga) along with his following interpretation about Krishna in the 'Message of The Gita' therein.
Krishna of The Gita is perfection and right knowledge personified; but the picture is imaginary. That does not mean Krishna, the adored of his people, never lived. The idea of perfect incarnation is an after growth 46
Belief in incarnation is a testimony of man's lofty spiritual ambition to become like unto God." Further he said, "In Hinduism, incarnation is ascribed to one who performed some extraordinary service of mankind. All embodied life is in reality incarnation of God...47
While discussing the concept of God, it is worthwhile to note what Rajchandra had to say on the subject in response to question 2.0 as summed below:
Gandhi & Jainism
Pg. 141
| SR No. | 007798 |
| Book Title | Gandhi And Jainism |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Shugan C Jain |
| Publisher | International School for Jain Studies |
| Publication Year | 2017 |
| Total Pages | 339 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 120 MB |