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Chapter 16: Guru's Exposition about the Path and Means of Liberation
204 operates. Its functioning is comparable to that of a mirror. As a mirror presents the image of everything that is lying in front of it, so the knowledge of everything in the universe shines out within omniscience. As the mirror does not take cognizance of the image that it presents, the omniscient Lords also merely stay aware of the Self and remain indifferent to everything else that reflects in their omniscience. Thus the attribute of knowing everything in the universe relates to the capability, not to the actual use of it. The emphasis on that capability is placed in order to point out the magnificence of omniscience to the laymen. The true magnificence, however, lies in the purity of the soul itself.
It is pertinent here to quote Ächäräng Sutra (1-3-4-122). It states: "Egam Jänai Se Savvam Jänai", which means, "He who knows One (Soul), knows all". When a person knows the soul in every respect, it means that his knowing capability has attained the perfect level. Nothing can remain beyond the purview of that capability. It is analogous to switching on a light in order to find something lying in the dark. Suppose we switch on a light to locate a ring that might have slipped from a finger. In that light not only does the ring become visible, but other objects in that area become visible as well. Similarly the state in which one remains fully aware of the Self, also enables him to be aware of everything else. The all-illumining capability is implicit in that state. The state of uninterrupted awareness thus covers all the attributes of omniscience.
But that state is still embodied, and does not therefore represent liberation. However, the omniscient Lords have the same level of perception, knowledge, and bliss that the liberated Lords possess, and since the state of liberation automatically emerges at the end of that life, the omniscient state can be termed as liberation or Nirvän despite embodiment. Thus all the stages from being a truth seeker to the ultimate state of liberation are described in these six (# 108-113 ) stanzas.
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