________________
PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
99
Gods enjoy many luxuries, and means of happiness, at their disposal but they cannot acquire any religious merit. They earnestly crave to observe some religious rites like samayika to make their godliness worthy, but it is not within their reach. Since their birth, gods have Avadhignana but they cannot acquire omniscience owing to their inability to perform religious rites.
The souls in hell also possess Avadhignana since their birth but they, all the while suffer from various miseries and hence they are also unable to observe any religious rite with the consequence that they also cannot obtain Kevalagnana or omniscience.
You know well how the animals experience hunger, cold, thirst and constant fear. How could they dream of any religious observance ? Occasionally five-sensed animals acquire perception of their previous births, and would even succeed to acquire Avadhignana under circumstances but owing to their inability to observe any religious practice they cannot acquire omniscience (Kevalagnana).
The rest is the human birth. In this birth one can practise religious rites and therefore can obtain omniscience. This is the very reason why human birth is valued most. Religious practice is not possible without human birth. Omniscience is not possible without religious practice and emancipation of soul is not possible without omniscience.
Five varieties of knowledge namely Mati (Sensory), Shruta (Scriptural), Avadhi (limited ranged), Manahparyava (Direct knowledge of mind) and Kevala (Omniscience) are possible only in the human birth. Attainment of Mati and Shrutganana is quite easy and natural while Avadhi, Manahparyava and Kevalagnana are attained by spiritual power.
Kevalagnana or omniscience is not conferred upon, but it is to be acquired. One who makes efforts diligently and without negligence for self-restraint, penances, muttering the names of the lord and meditation can acquire omniscience. Till today, numerous souls have acquired omniscience. They followed the same path and the souls in future shall follow the same path to acquire omniscience.
The omniscient soul confers welfare upon others and upon himself. If you cherish for your own welfare and the welfare of the world you
