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A Hand Book of Jainology
ments and calamities. By this means, he destroys the four harmful karmas like Jnanavaran and becomes a Vitrag Sarvajna. The tremendous merit earned by him in his earlier lives emerges to the surface and produces its effects. He becomes an Arihant.
The Arihant expounds and establishes the Dharmashasan. He preaches to the world the truth and shows to people the way to salvation. Moreover, he establishes the Sangha comprising Sadhus, Sadhvis, Shravakas and Shravikas. Gradually, when the span of his life reaches its end, he destroys the Agathi (least harmful karmas like Vedaniya) and attains moksha. He becomes a Siddha or a perfect one. On account of the destruction of the 4 Gathi Karmas (most harmful karmas) in the Arihant; four virtues in Siddha; so by the destruction of 4 gathi + agathi = 8, it becomes 8 gunas or virtues of Siddhas. Arihants are placed on the first level and the Siddhas on the second level because only by the impact of the upadesha (preaching) of the Arihants, the Bhavya jivas (noble souls) also adore the path of salvation, destroy their karmas and become Siddhas. Therefore, Arihants are placed on the first level among the Panchaparameshtis.
2) SIDDHAS: These are of the second level in the descending order of Parameshtis. A Siddha means one who has been totally liberated from the karmas and the samsar. It is a pure soul. Even those atmas that cannot become Arihants can attain moksha by pursuing the path of moksha according to the guidance of the Arihant and after destroying the 8 karmas. Then he becomes chastened, enlightened, spotless, formless and totally free from all distortions and derogations. Having attained this stage, he reaches the Siddhashila which is located on the top of this universe and remains there for ever. Such a soul is called Siddhaparamatma. On account of the destruction of the eight karmas there appear in the Siddhaparamatma, infinite knowledges, sublime vision, vitragata, boundless labdhi (power) unsullied and boundless felicity, imperishability, formlessness and Agurulaghutha (not heavy; not light).
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