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47
Ätmasiddhi
categories of knowledge. The first two are related to the intellectual and scriptural knowledge, which are termed as Mati Jnän and Shrut Jnän, respectively. Gaining knowledge starts from that level and ends in omniscience, which is known as Kevaljnän.
The scriptures divide worldly life in four categories of heavenly, human, animal, and infernal (hellish) existence. The unhappiness and misery associated with the worldly life of those four categories are explained at length in the scriptures. They have laid down 198 subdivisions of the heavenly beings, 303 of the humans, 48 of the animals, and 14 of the infernal category for a total of 563. A sectarian does not make out that the purpose of such a description is to show the variety of life in which the worldly soul has been wandering. Instead, he would consider those details as constituting the essence of scriptural knowledge and try to memorize and reiterate those divisions and subdivisions.
This type of knowledge is actually meant for inducing people to look inward. Thereby, one should be led to ponder that he has been wandering in so many categories of life since infinite time and he should now endeavor to be free from that. But what is likely to happen is that, by knowing about the luxuries of the heavenly life, one may aspire to get such a life. In other words, he develops longing for a new worldly existence. Is it not pitiable that the scriptural knowledge of different types of existence should induce any one to desire the continuation of worldly existence?
He would also hold strong opinions about traditions and strictly adhere to the same. He would attach more importance to external clothing and insist that without being attired in a particular way or without holding some specific symbols, no one can attain liberation. He does not know that Jainism has laid down 15 categories of Siddhas, inclusive of those in non-Jain traditions. The poor fellow does not realize that liberation consists of getting rid of all sorts of attachment, dress code,
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