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सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
अष्टाविंश अध्ययन [३४४
CHAPTER 28 ROAD TO FINAL DELIVERANCE
Foreview
The name of this chapter according to Jacobi is-Road to Final Deliverance.
For knotless monk liberation is his goal-to be attained. For attaining that which is to be attained the means are-right knowledge-faith-conduct-penance, all the four in co-ordination; and to move steadily towards the definite aim is the endeavour of adept-practiser.
For obtaining the goal, the support of means is but necessary. If the aim is known, but the support of means, which is necessary for obtaining it, not taken then the goal can not be attained. And if the means are in hand, still he who does not endeavour to attain his aim then the goal is also impossible for him to attain. Hence, it is very necessary to utilize means and to endeavour for attainment of end.
For attaining the aim of liberation the means are four-right knowledge-faith-conduct and penance. Among these the first and chief means is knowledge. The soul cognises the Jinaprescribed elements-soul, karmas etc., by knowledge only, understands the conception of six substances.
Known by knowledge the nine elements-(1) soul (2) non-soul (3) merit (4) demerit (5) inflow of karmas (6) check of inflow (7) bondage (8) annihilation and (9) salvation-he fixes his unwavering faith in all these elements.
There are ten interests, which nourish the right faith.
Right conduct is to obstruct the feelings of attachment, sensualities, passions exc. 11 makes en pty the soul from karmas.
Penance is the activity which purifies soul and turn to ashes by burning the formerly accumulated karmas partially. It sheds off the karmas of millions of years.
By destruction of all the karmas the practiser attains liberation and then the whole virtues of his soul develop to extremity.
All this description is according to behavioural viewpoint. Thinking according to rea. viewpoint the firm belief in pure soul-virtues is right faith, cognition of pure soul is righi knowledge and to be absorbed in soul-virtues is right conduct and this is only the path of salvation.
Right knowledge in previous 14 couplets, right faith from 15 to 31, right conduct in 3233, right penance in 34 and in 35th couplet the ulitiy of all the four means is described of this chapter.
Thus the method of performance of attaining salvation is described in this chapter.
Present chapter bears 36 couplets. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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