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THE DOCTRINE OF LIBERATION IN INDIAN RELIGIONS
attains unthinkable innate attributes of knowledge and unlimited bliss; this extremely pure state of the self is called liberation.159 It is further stated in the Samadhisataka that the liberated one is pure, independent, perfect, free, lord, indestructible, in the highest position, the greatest soul, the highest soul, glorified and conqueror.160 According to the Puruşarthasiddhyupaya the liberated being is always dirtless, rightly fixed in one's own nature, withont any hindrance, quite pure like the sky, the greatest self, enlightening itself in that highest position. He has done all that was to be done, knowing all the substances, being the greatest self, full of knowledge and bliss.101
A perfectly liberated being is totally free from all sorts of impediments and shines with his innate qualities of infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss and infinite power. He dwells in complete quiescence. In reality, the existence of the self in its pure form for ever is mokṣa. It is a state of complete development of the self. The liberated jiva always remains in siddhaśila and never returns to samsära. As the seeds consumed by fire do not grow further, so when their seeds in the form of karmas are burnt up, the liberated beings do not return to the universe.162 They live unexcelled for all eternity endowed with unending and unsurpassed bliss.
The glory of siddhātman is unsurpassed in the three worlds. Those who attain nirvana possess the lustre of pure gold; they shine with effulgence which is the crest-jewel of three worlds.163 The Uttaradhyayanasutra speaking about eternity, immortality and perfection of nirvana or deliverence says that:
"It is safe, happy, eternal and quiet place in veiw of all, but difficult of approach, where there is no old age nor death, no pain nor disease. It is what is called nirvana or freedom from pain, or perfection which the great sages reach. Those sages who reach it are free from sorrows, they have put an end to the stream of existence.164
The perfected and liberated beings with perfect knowledge, bliss, peace, purity and harmony reside in siddhaśila, the abode of perfected souls.
159. Sarvärthasiddhi, Introduction, p. 1
160. Samadhisataka 6 (ed. by Brahmachari Sital Prasad, p. 28)
161. Puruşarthasiddhyupaya, 223-224.
162. Dasasrutask andha, 5-12.
163.
164.
Ratnakaran lasrāvakāṇāra, 134. Uttaradhyayanas utra, XXIII, 81-84.
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