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INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM
those who can turn themselves into riding or flying animals to carry the higher divinities, and finally servants.
Elevated above those who abide in the 16 (or 12) kalpa heavens are those who are born in the higher heavens. Among them are 24 classes of laukantikas, those who have reached their goal within the universe. They are equal in status, i.e. without hierarchical differences, and they are all connected with each other. They know no more sexual desires or other passions. They need at the most two more human incarnations to reach liberation. If ever these elevated human souls descend to the Middle World, it is only to pay homage to incarnated Tīrthamkaras at important crossroads in their lives - for example the moment they decide to renounce the world. Time does not exist in the heavens, because they are situated above the Jyotishka, the heavenly bodies which rule the time divisions. All heavens seem to be the result of the spiritual development of the individual and his measure of control over the lower aspects of his psychological constitution during life on earth. The heavens and hells are regions of consequences, whereas our earth is called by the Indians a "work planet“ (karmabhūmi), the region of causes, because it is only on earth that one can consciously choose to do good (or bad) works, physically, verbally, and mentally.
Those who have left all worlds behind and live in siddhaloka are omniscient in the universe, are freed of all karmas, and have left behind ultimately and for ever their human bodies, and radiate as pure and freed souls. The characteristics of their (and our) pure soul are: knowledge, spiritual insight, bliss, power, right faith, right conduct, imperturbability and freedom from all limitations in the universe.
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