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THE JAINA GAZETTE
It is these forces of evil, termed karma-prakritis in the Jaina Siddhanta, which resist the onward march of the aspiring soul. They will be destroyed completely, by individual effort, prior to the obtainment of nirvana. The divine powers of the soul which lie dormant now shall be revivified into activity again, or, to use the poetical language of the Hebrew Mysticism,
"And in those days shall the which has been entrusted to it. back that which it has received.
earth also give back that And sheol also shall give And hell shall give back that which it owes. For in those days the Elect One shall arise."--Ibid. p. 69.
On page 38 of the work quoted is given a some what graphic account of the final processes :
And then shall the whole earth be tilled in righteousness, and shall be planted with trees and be full of blessing. And all desirable trees shall be planted on it, and they shall plant vines on it: and the vine which they plant thereon shall yield wine in abundance, and as for all the seed that is sown thereon each measure (of it) shall bear a thousand, and each measure of olives shall yield ten presses of oil. And cleanse thou the earth from all oppression, and from all unrighteousness, and from all sin, and from all godlessness: and all the uncleanness that is wrought upon the earth destroy from off the earth. And all the children of men shall become righteous, and all nations shall offer adoration and shall praise Me, and all shall worship Me. And the earth shall be cleansed from all defilement, and from all sin, and from all punishment, and from all torment, and I will never again send (them) upon it from generation to generation and for ever."
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The term earth signifies the soul-substance, which prior to its entry into nirvana must be purified and dressed up, like a bride, in all the most elegant and charming of raiments,' for it is said: "And in those days I will open...the store chamber of blessings which are in the heaven, so as to send them down upon the earth over the work and labour of the children of men. And truth and peace shall be associated together
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
