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tal agency), auxiliary factors and favourable circumstances ought to present themselves. Mahatma Gandhi used to say, 'If I don't become an instrument for India's freedom, somebody else will.' In fact, today, when it is said in a poem: "In darkness, a hand searching for a matchbox, though in darkness, is not in darkness” We, in fact, convey our faith in the power of upadan rising above the surface, its undoubted capacity and unlimited prospects.
By not allotting us the role of upadan (material cause) for others, Mahavir saves us from conceit. Yet, by handing over the role of instrument for others, he rescues us from the feeling of inferiority complex. From one perspective, we are nothing. From the other perspective, we are something. In a way, we are aloof and confined to our chamber. But from other view, we are connected with others. The doors of our chamber open in the chambers of others. We are alone and with the crowd too. Our individuality is preserved, even though we live with the crowd. We can be identified in our journey with the faceless crowd. This is the amazing magic of preserving individuality while remaining embedded in the community. But is it not in any way connected with the republican traits of Mahavir?
The role of nimitta is no less revered. In the Jain Mahamantra Namokar, among the five Parameshthis (great venerated ones) Arihantas are offered salutations before Siddhas. It is a fact that one becomes a Siddha (a perfect and liberated soul) by snapping the legacy of eight karmas - The four ghati karmas i.e. jnanavarani, darshnavarani, mohani and antaraya, are the karmas that block the soul's basic nature of knowledge & perception. They prevent the soul from attaining Kevala Jnana. The four aghati karmas, vedaniya, ayu, nama & gotra are responsible for causing happinessunhappiness, span of life, rebirth in various gatis and in higher or lower families. The Siddhas are in the state of moksha in the unembodied form. For the world, they are an indirect repository of inspiration and ideal. In case of Arihantas, they have shed only the four ghati karmas. Spiritually they are liberated but physically they are still in the world. The snap
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