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Chapter 16: Guru's Exposition about the Path and Means of Liberation
જાતિ, વેષનો ભેદ નહિ, કહ્યો માર્ગ જો હોય; સાધે તે મુક્તિ લહે, એમાં ભેદ ન કોય.
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Jäti Veshano Bhed Nahi, Kahyo Märga Jo Hoy; Sädhe Te Mukti Lahe, Emän Bhed Na Koy.
There is no discrimination of caste or attire (dress) in the said path; whoever pursues it, attains liberation, without any discrimination or difference. - 107 -
Explanation & Discussion:
The pupil had raised the issue of caste, creed, and attire in which one can attain liberation. The Guru tells him that all those aspects are immaterial. Even a person belonging to a so-called lower caste can attain liberation. For instance, Metäraj Muni, who was a Ganadhar of Lord Mahavir, was raised in a very low family. Harikeshi Muni (Ref. Uttarädhyayan Sutra) also came from a very low caste.
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In this connection, it would be interesting to point out that Jainism admits the possibility of attaining liberation in different traditions. Sthänäng Sutra mentions 15 types of liberated souls, depending upon their last life. One of them relates to those coming from the female sex, another from a house holder life, and still another from the non-Jain tradition. Shrimad has stated on several occasions that one should not insist on being a Jain.
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