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## Chapter 274, Verse 165: Characteristics of Nigoda-dwelling Souls
There are infinite souls who have never attained the state of liberation (Tsarana-parinama). They are abundant in the defilement of attachment (Bhavakalank) and therefore do not abandon the Nigoda-dwelling state.
**Explanation:**
Those who have never attained the state of liberation, even in the distant past, are infinite in number. Otherwise, the influence of the liberated souls (Bhavya) would be present in the cycle of existence (Samara). However, their influence is not present because the absence of liberated souls (Bhavya) would also lead to the absence of non-liberated souls (Abhavya). And even that is not present because the absence of both liberated and non-liberated souls would lead to the absence of all souls in the cycle of existence (Samsari).
**Question:** How is it possible for the liberated souls (Asansari) to have an influence if there are no souls in the cycle of existence (Samsari)?
**Answer:** If there are no souls in the cycle of existence (Samsari), then there cannot be liberated souls (Asansari) either. This is because all things with opposites cannot exist without their opposites.
Therefore, it is proven that there are infinite souls who have never attained the state of liberation in the past. The following verse supports this:
"Existence is present in all, it is all-pervading, infinite in its forms, it is characterized by destruction, creation, and permanence, it has opposites, and it is one."
Why have these souls not attained the state of liberation? The latter part of the verse explains this: "Abundant in the defilement of attachment (Bhavakalank)." This means that the defilement of attachment is abundant in them. This is the reason for their birth in the one-sense (Ekendirya) category. The abundance of this defilement is the reason why these souls have not abandoned the Nigoda-dwelling state. This is the meaning of the verse.
Thus, the characteristics of the eternally Nigoda-dwelling souls have been explained.