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## Refutation of the Buddhist View of Liberation as the Absence of a Jiva
**Verse 37 of the Hindi Commentary on the Uththanika**
This verse refutes the Buddhist view that liberation is the absence of a jiva (soul).
**General Meaning with Anvaya (Word Order):**
(Sassa-dam) Eternal existence (ay) and (ucchedam) destruction (bhavya-m) being worthy of liberation (cha) and (abhavya-m) being unworthy of liberation, (sunna-m) emptiness (cha) and (idaram) non-emptiness (vipanan-am) knowledge (avinna-nam) and non-knowledge (sambhave asadi) the existence of the liberated jiva is not present (na vi jujjhadi) cannot be.
**Specific Meaning:**
The existence of the liberated soul (Siddh Bhagwan) is eternal. This is why the following eight characteristics are inherent in them:
1. **Eternal Existence (Shaashvatapana):** They are eternally existent in their single nature of being the knower and seer, as revealed by their Tanko-tkirna (perfect) knowledge. They are not destroyed.
2. **Destruction (Ucched or Vyayapana):** Due to the nature of Paryayas (states of existence), there is always destruction of Paryayas in relation to the six states (Shat-Sthan) and the increase and decrease of the subtle and gross qualities. This destruction is inseparable from creation. This creation and destruction is the nature of every Paryaya of every substance.
3. **Worthy of Liberation (Bhavya-pana):** They are eternally evolving in their single nature of being pure knowledge and bliss (Chidananda-maya), free from all impurities. This is their inherent nature of being worthy of liberation.
4. **Unworthy of Liberation (Abhavya-pana):** They will never evolve into the states of past falsehood, attachment, and other impure states (Vibhava-parinama) in their liberated state. This absence of these states is their inherent nature of being unworthy of liberation.
5. **Emptiness (Sunya-pana):** They are devoid of the fourfold external reality (Paradravya, Parakshetra, Parakal, Parabhava) which are distinct from their pure nature. This absence of the external reality is their inherent emptiness.
6. **Non-Emptiness (Ashunya-pana):** They possess the fourfold internal reality (Nijadravya, Nijakshetra, Nijakal, Nijabhava) which is related to their supreme self. They are never devoid of their pure qualities.
7. **Knowledge (Vijnana):** They are complete and pure in their perfect knowledge (Kevalgyan) which illuminates all substances, qualities, and states of existence at once.
8. **Non-Knowledge (Avinnana):** They are devoid of the impure knowledge (Vibhava-rupa) such as limited knowledge (Mati-gyana), destruction (Kshaya), and delusion (Upshama).
Therefore, these eight characteristics (eternal existence, destruction, worthy of liberation, unworthy of liberation, emptiness, non-emptiness, knowledge, and non-knowledge) cannot be established if the existence of the jiva is not accepted in liberation. They are established only when the jiva exists. The existence of these characteristics proves the existence of the pure jiva in liberation. This verse implies that only the pure jiva is worthy of being attained.