________________
CHAPTER XVIII
PATHWAY TO LIBERATION
223
नित्यमपि निरुपलेप: स्वरूपसमवस्थितो निरुपधातः । गगनमिव परमपुरुषः परमपदे स्फुरति विशदतमः ॥ कृतकृत्य: परमपदे परमात्मा सकलविषयविषयात्मा । परमानन्दनिमग्नो ज्ञानमयो नन्दति सदैव ॥
224
“Being eternally free from contact with the Karmas and the consequent veils, the Supreme Soul resides at the highest stage, as if the sky, with full effulgence. With the highest sense of fulfilment in every respect, the soul which has attained perfection rests in supreme Bliss being the embodiment of Omniscience."1
According to Jainism, the path of salvation or deliverance lies through the acceptance and practice of the three Jewels (ratnatraya) as a unit which helps the individual to destroy the Karmas as has been discussed in Chapter XII. The nature of the Karmas and the process of their destruction leading the soul to a gradual stage of spiritual evolution have been dealt with already.
In this world, there are four things of supreme value which it is difficult for a living being to obtain; and they are human birth, instruction in true religion, faith and full power (puruşärtha) in self-control.? Those beings which follow the road of right knowledge, faith, conduct and austerities will attain beatitude. 3
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
