Jainism from the View Point of Vedantic Acaryas

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: B J Institute

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Jainism from the view point of Vedāntic Acāryas
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sential to attain liberation. But by the grace of Siddhas, liberation is not possible, because Jainas accept, existence of countless Siddhas which cannot be proved by any valid means of knowledge. Suppose, this is accepted that grace of Siddhas is possible, then the question naturally arises is : whether this grace of Siddhas is possible through worship (ārādhanā) or not? If it is possible through worship, then by merely worshipping one single Siddha, liberation may not be possible, because there are many Siddhas having same nature, and one has to worship all Siddhas which is practically impossible. If you do not worship all, then there is a fault of showing disrespect to other Siddhas. If Jainas accept that there is only one supreme Siddha, then, they are admiting one supreme God like followers of Vedānta, which is not acceptable to Jainas. If it is said that obtaining grace of Siddhas, no worship is required, then every one will be entitled to get grace of Siddhas and consequently, all will be liberated without worship (एकस्मिन्वेदवेद्ये मोक्षप्रदे सति सिद्धानुग्रहान्मोक्षो दुर्घटः, असम्भवात् । सिद्धानुग्रहः आराधनसापेक्षः न वा ? आद्ये, सिद्धानां समानस्वभावानामेकतमस्याराधनेन मोक्षो न भवेत्, बहूनां सिद्धानामुपेक्षादोषात् सर्वेषामाराधने गौरवं स्यात्, अस्ति 26 HER ARÉ Àre ufael val i fanita, 19946: IV.K., II.II.33).
The Jainas generally do not talk about the grace of Siddhas to obtain liberation. Liberation is attained through destruction of all karmas, which is mainly dependent on individual's efforts. The concept of grace is, specially a Vaişņava concept. Srinivāsa, might have