Jainism Some Essays

Author(s): A S Gopani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Jainism
cause be present, emancipation cannot be obtained if the soul does not put forth effort. Soul is the principal cause and the Arihantas are formally believed to be the givers of emencipation. Really speaking, soul itself begets emancipation for itself. It makes a number of attempts and one such attempt is the devotion to Arihantas. Thus Arihantas are formally spoken of as givers but really speaking, they are not. They are merely, the instruments as there are other instruments also The Arihantas are described as uplifters, saviours, an emancipators but it is merely formally that they are so described. A being's koowledge of the real nature of the Arihantas helps him to elevate himself on a higher plane and this procures for him final liberation. It is from this point of view that they are called the instrumental causes as also the directors cowherds,, prop, and the givers of religiosity.*
* [Translated from original Hindi into Gujarati by Shri R. D. Desai and into English by Dr. A. S. Gopani) "Janavāni", April, 1949.)