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( 26 ) to do is to check the further influx of Karmie matter and to destroy its bonds. The moment this can be done its natural perfection will be attained, and freedom, immortality and bliss enjoyed. There is no question of begging or bargaining with any one in this system and it is
noteworthy that it is absolutely impossible for any outside agency to confer either immortality, bliss or perfection which the soul is hankering after, and ceaselessly tries to obtain from it surroundings : the whole thing is a question of the law of cause and effect.
Jainism does not for the fore-going reason offer devotion to any beings in the hope of obtaining bliss. immortality or perfection from them. These are already the natural properties of the soul, and cannot possibly be had ficm outside. Hence, Jainism does not recognise the God of popular theology, but urges the spiritual soul to worship the feet of the perfected Siddhas, in the same way as one would show reverence to a teacher. The Greatest teacher is certainly entitled to the greatest amount of reverence and no teacher can certainly be greater than the omniscient Tirthankaras who not only know all things, but the perfection of whose knowledge
