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come into being from Him? It is impossible that matter can come into existence from that which is spirit. If Isvara is regarded as material, He will then lose His Isvara-hood; also, a spiritual entity like the soul cannot come into being from such an Īsvara. If we regard Him as being both matter and spirit, that only means that we are pleased to call the world, which is both matter and spirit, by another name, Isvara. Instead of doing that, it is better to call the world the world: If we hold that atoms, space, etc., are imperishable entities, and that Iśvara only awards the fruits of Karma, this too, cannot be proved. Convincing reasons have been given in support of this view in Saddarśana-Samuccaya.
Q. 3.0 What is Mokṣa (liberation)?
A.3.0 While Atmā is in the state of ignorance, characterized by anger, conceit, and greed etc. that bind the soul with earthly coils and other limitations. There is a natural urge in life to be free from all bondage and limitations. This state of total freedom from bondage and limitations is described by seers as Mokṣa. A close consideration of this urge makes truth of the above saying of the wise men to be self-evident.
Q.4.0 Is it possible for a person to know for certain, while he is still living, whether or not he will attain Mokşa?
A.4.0 If our arms have been tightly bound with a rope wound several times round them and if the twists of the rope are loosened one after another, we feel the loosening of each twist and in the end become conscious of the rope having been removed. Similarly Atmā, which is bound with various kinds of nescient emotions (the products of ignorance), being slowly and slowly released from them, the latter becomes conscious of progressing towards moksha, and when the bonds are about to fall off, then Ātmā shines in its luster untarnished by ignorance. As soon as there is complete extinction of these nescient forces, Ātmā, while still dwelling in this body, becomes conscious of its
Gandhi & Jainism | Pg.287
