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Atma-Siddhi
Is There Liberation?
(Verses 87-91)
The disciple starts expressing further doubt in these verses. He admits that soul is the doer and enjoyer of karmas, but does not see the liberation of soul possible as infinite time has passed and soul is still associated with defects. Also he says, when soul does good karmas it attains godly status. When it does bad karmas, it attains hellish condition. Soul is never without karmas.
185
The true teacher tries to explain that just as good and bad karmas bring forth fruits, non-action (cessation of good and bad karmas) similarly brings forth the fruit of liberation of soul. It is true that since infinite time soul is engaged in good and bad karmas through own nature (due to the bonding of karmic matter), but with the snapping of the tendency of good and bad karmas soul also attains liberation through own nature (after the shedding of karmic matter). Total dissociation with bodily associations, accordingly, has been described as liberation and in this state soul attains infinite bliss.
Main concern here is whether liberation of soul is possible or soul forever stays in bonded state. It has been indicated before32 that soul in a sense is always liberated as it is different from matter and is full of consciousness, knowledge, enlightenment, and bliss. In the conditioned state, soul becomes deluded, forgets own divine nature, and gets wrapped with karmic matter. Liberation from the delusional state is possible by controlling illusions, desires and passions, seeking dissociation with bodily associations, and rising above worldly attractions, comforts, and pleasures. The way to do this has been suggested by all religious traditions and is also explained in the next section.
Jain Education International
Is There A Way for Liberation? (Verses 92-107)
The disciple continues with his doubt and says that even if there is a state of liberation, there appears to be no way to
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