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CHAPTER X
THE NINE PADARTHAS OR FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
The key-note of Jaina metaphysics consists in its emphasis that the universe is reality comprising the two substances Jiva and Ajiva, that is, the living beings and the non-living beings or the matter. Ajiva is a comprehensive substance which is subdivided into pudgala, dharma, adharma, ākāśa and kāla. The Jiva and the Ajiva together, as already explained, from the basis of the seven principles. A through understanding of the seven principles is the pre-requisite of Right Knowledge and Right Faith. Since the soul is associated with Karma from times immemorial, a knowledge of the real Self, of the processes of liberation and of the nature of the ultimate goal to be realised is indispensable for a successfull living leading to liberation. Many souls migrate from one life to another because of the erroneous identification of the soul with the non-soul which generates numerous illusory attachments with the surrounding objects and persons.
A person deluded by wrong knowledge claims kinship with all material objects and becomes oblivious to the real nature of his self. The pure qualities of his soul become obscured. The process of the inflow or influx of Karmic matter into the soul and its bondage have been discussed under the scheme of Seven Principles in Jaina philosophy. If Pāpa (sin) and Puņya (merit) are added to the seven principles, we have the nine Padārthas.
Thus it has been stated by Kundakunda that Jiva, Ajiva. Punya, Pāpa, Aśrava, Samvara, Nirjara, Bandha and Mokşa are
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