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The Adipurana, revered by the four-footed, bird, and other species, is marked by the rise of thirty-four extraordinary qualities. [298]
He is endowed with unique knowledge, unique vision, unique happiness, and unique strength, all arising from the soul itself. [299]
He is adorned with beauty and possesses the seven supreme abodes, including the abode of his own kind. [300]
He is endowed with eight miraculous powers, has destroyed the four karmic poisons, and is known by a thousand and eight names, beginning with Vrishabha. [301]
He has blossomed the lotus forest of the worthy beings with the rays of his words. [302]
Bharata, with folded hands like a budding lotus, worshipped him and asked about the nature of Dharma. [303]
The Lord replied, "He who guides disciples away from evil paths and towards the highest state is called Dharma. Dharma has four aspects: Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct, and Right Austerity. This Dharma is primarily about duty." [287-303]
The true faith in the seven principles, including the soul, arising from oneself or from the teachings of others, is called Right Faith. [304]
This Right Faith is free from doubts and other defects, and is analyzed through three states: the state of the worldly, the state of the liberated, and the state of the partially liberated. [305]
The true knowledge of the seven principles, including the soul, free from doubt, delusion, and indecision, is called Right Knowledge. [306]
Conduct that does not lead to the accumulation of karma is called Right Conduct or Restraint. [307]
The practice that leads to the destruction of karma is called Austerity. [308]
These four qualities, when accompanied by passions, are the causes of heaven. When free from passions, they are the causes of both heaven and liberation for those who seek the welfare of the soul. [309]
These four are the paths to liberation and are difficult to attain for beings. [310]
Falsehood, violation of vows, negligence, passions, and auspicious and inauspicious karmic forces are the causes of karmic bondage for beings. [311]