Book Title: Essence  of Jainism
Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

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Page 35
________________ (Perception obscuring), Jnänävaraniya (Enlightenment obscuring) and Antaräy (Obstructing) Karma. That is usually done in a short time. The aspirant then reaches the next stage. THIRTEENTH STAGE: This is the stage of omniscience or Kevaljnän. Since no Ghati Karma survives at this stage, the entity attains the full enlightenment and is known as Kevali. Such entities are endowed with infinite perception, infinite knowledge, infinite bliss and infinite vigor. These four aspects are known as Anant Chatushthay. These entities are called Arihants, whom we offer obeisance in the first line of Namokkár Mantra. They continue to remain embodied as long as Aghati Karmas stay with them. But being fully enlightened and devoid of any attachment, they do not incur the new bondage. FOURTEENTH STAGE: These stages of spiritual elevation are more or less analogous to the rungs of a ladder, by climbing over which one reaches the state liberation. That state is the destination, not a rung of the ladder. When a Sayogi Kevali (extant omniscient Lord at the 13th stage) realizes that the end of his life (Ayushya) is near, he relinquishes his physical, vocal as well as mental faculties, which are termed as Yog, and enters the stage of Ayogi Kevali. Freed from Yog, the soul rises up and reaches the top of cosmos known as Siddhashilä. There it stops, because there is no Dharmästikäy (an ether like substance, which serves as a medium for making movement) beyond that point. The rising process is very quick; it takes as little time as required for uttering five short vowels. That period constitutes the 14" stage. Thereafter the liberated Lord stays in eternal bliss forever.

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