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नाज्ञो विज्ञत्वमायाति विज्ञो नाज्ञत्वमृच्छति । निमित्तमात्रमन्यस्तु गतेर्धर्मास्तिकायवत् ॥
Verse 35
(35)
It is not possible for the Truth to be acquired by those not qualified for its acquisition, and the knower of the Truth cannot become devoid of it. Teaching by others is an external facilitator just as the medium of motion (dharma) is to the movement of objects.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
Jaina metaphysics divides souls into two distinct classes: 1) those having potential to attain liberation (bhavya), and 2) those incapable of attaining liberation (abhavya). The bhavya souls possess the capacity for liberation as they, at some point of time, are destined to follow the path shown by Lord Jina. The abhavya souls are so fated that they will never make the necessary effort to attain liberation. The distinction among the souls is based on the possibility of their choosing the right path for liberation. The abhavya souls will never choose the right path and, therefore, wander in the labyrinth of mundane life for all time to come.
A prerequisite for choosing the right path for liberation is to acquire right faith. The soul that will acquire right faith is bhavya, and is endowed with the capacity for liberation. The soul that will not attain right faith is abhavya, and is not endowed with the capacity for liberation. The question of cherishing right faith does not arise in the case of the abhavya soul.
The man incapable of attaining liberation, even after the study of the Scripture, derives no good from the lesson because of the
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