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## Chapter 2: The Fourteen Stages of the Soul
**[1, 1, 2]** A **Sadhu** is one who is always dedicated to attaining liberation through the three jewels and who holds equality towards all beings.
It is a tradition to begin a text with a statement of six things: auspiciousness, reason for writing, purpose, proof, name, and author. Following this tradition, Acharya Pushpadanta has composed this auspicious verse, known as the **Mangal Sutra**. This **Mangal Sutra** is also known as the **Namo-kar Mantra**. "Mangal" means that which removes the impurities of sin. There are two types of impurities: **dravya-mala** (material impurities) and **bhava-mala** (mental impurities). **Dravya-mala** is further divided into two types: external and internal. External **dravya-mala** includes sweat, dust, and excrement. Internal **dravya-mala** refers to the eight types of karma, such as **jnana-avaran** (veil of knowledge), which are associated with the soul in its dense form and are divided into **prakriti** (nature), **sthiti** (state), **anubhag** (experience), and **pradesh** (region). **Bhava-mala** refers to the consequences of ignorance and non-perception. Alternatively, the word "Mang" can also mean virtue or happiness. Therefore, according to the etymology, "Mangal" is that which brings happiness.
Now, to investigate the fourteen **guna-sthana** (stages of virtue), we first need to understand the fourteen **margana** (paths of investigation).
**Therefore, these fourteen stages of the soul, which are the paths of investigation, are worthy of knowing.**
**[2]** These fourteen stages of the soul, which are the paths of investigation, are worthy of knowing because they are useful in understanding the fourteen **guna-sthana** (stages of virtue).
**[3]** The word "**jiva-samasa**" means that which summarizes the infinite souls. Therefore, the fourteen **guna-sthana** are included in the term "**jiva-samasa**". **Margana**, **gaveshana**, and **anveshana** are synonyms. The **margana-sthana** are those through which the fourteen **guna-sthana** are investigated, along with the eight **anuyoga-dvara** (gates of knowledge).
**[4]** These are the fourteen **margana**: **Gati** (motion), **Indriya** (senses), **Kaya** (body), **Yoga** (practice), **Veda** (knowledge), **Kasaya** (passions), **Jnana** (wisdom), **Samyama** (self-control), **Darsana** (vision), **Leshya** (subtle body), **Bhavya-tva** (potential for liberation), **Samyak-tva** (right conduct), **Sanjni** (consciousness), and **Ahar** (food).
**[5]** **Gati** is that which is attained. Alternatively, it is the movement from one existence to another. Or, it is the state of the soul that arises from the **karma** called **gati-nama**.