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207
Ätmasiddhi
That situation would change if the soul realizes its true nature. Then it would automatically come out of false identification. Worldly activities would still take place thereafter, as long as the embodiment continues. But such a soul would not feel attachment for any of them. It would remain an indifferent spectator of whatever happens, and would not indulge in craving or aversion for any situation that may arise from time to time. Thereby it ceases to be Kartä or actuator of Karma and as such, it would not have to bear the consequences.
It is easy to understand that since such a soul does not acquire new Karma, it does not have to bear new consequences. But the question would arise about earlier Karmas that might still remain in balance. How can any soul be absolved from bearing the consequences of old Karma? Does the inexorable law of Karma and its consequences cease to operate in that case?
The law does continue to operate, but it should be remembered that the consequences of Karma are always extended to the body, not to the soul. It is only false identification that leads the soul to identify itself with the body, and to feel that it experiences the said consequences. When such identification falls off, the soul simply perceives and knows what happens to the body but stays free from the pain or pleasure associated with it. It merely remains an indifferent observer. As such, it does not bear those consequences.
Moreover, there is also the possibility of mass scale destruction of the extant Karmas. As a huge stack of cotton can be quickly burnt to ashes by a little spark, most of the Karmas are also extinguished with the spark of enlightenment. As such, getting freed from false identification is the gist of spiritual pursuit. It is therefore termed here as the essence of religion.
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