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Chapter 18: Conclusion
254 goes ahead, the perception gets clearer, and thereby the character-related delusion also continues to decrease. This is concomitant to climbing on the succeeding rungs of the ladder. If the progress stays uninterrupted, one eventually reaches the 8th stage, which is termed as "unprecedented". Thereafter, the progress in overcoming delusion is swift. It culminates in the 12th stage, when the character-related delusion is totally overcome. The rest of the defiling Karmas are instantly destroyed thereafter and the person attains omniscience. This is the 13th stage.
But that does not mean the end of embodiment, because one has to remain embodied till the end of that life. As such, the activities related to embodiment continue to take place. The omniscient Lord, however, remains indifferent to physical aspects and stays transcendental. In this stanza, the obeisance is offered to such transcendental entities. When the omniscient Lord ends the current life, it gives up the body (14"" stage) and becomes a liberated soul.
Here the question may arise, 'The omniscient Lords have other significant attributes like infinite perception, infinite knowledge, infinite bliss, etc. Why are those attributes not called for while offering obeisance?' The reason is clear. This work has been composed mainly for those aspirants who still have a sense of identification with the body. The purpose of this composition is to get them out of that sense. It is therefore necessary to bring to their notice the state of dissociation from bodily instincts. Obeisance to the transcendental nature of the Lords can be helpful in contemplating about that state.
Moreover, there can also be other entities (mainly belonging to stages 4 to 7), who stay indifferent to physical modes. Whether the body gets food or rest, whether it gets hurt or afflicted by any disease, is immaterial to them. They are selfrealized souls, and stay tuned to the true nature of the soul. Since the sense of indifference prevails in their minds towards all bodily aspects, such entities can also be termed as living
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