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CANDRAVEDHYAKA PRAKĪRNAKA : 37
89.
Twelve types of penances - six internal and six external – have been preached by the Tīrthankaras, but of these there has not been and there wont be a penance equivalent to the study of the real nature of the self through the knowledge of scriptures i.e. svādhyāya.
90.
The learning may or may not dawn, as it depends on the subsision of knowledge obscuring (Iñānāvaraṇīya) karma. However, one desirous of gaining knowledge ought to strive for it.
91.
Şurely, the vigilant spiritual practitioner sheds the karmic bonds, acquired over innumerable births, in a moment. Likewise, the karmic bonds of many a birth are surely shed, in a moment, through the study of the self as well as that of scriptures (svādhyāya).
92.
The heavenly, human and sub human beings, demons, demigods and heavenly minstrels – all unenlightened (Chadmastha) beings risiding in the world, question the omniscients kevalis to quell their doubts.
93.
The word, phrase or statement through which people gain perpetual inspiration for detachment or for spiritual salvation vairāgya, that word, phrase or statement is the right knowledge for him.
94.
The word, phrase or statement through which a person gains perpetual inspiration for detachment or for spiritual salvation in the religion preached by Jinas, he should remember that word, phrase or statement even at the time of his death.
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