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instructed as to the method of disposing of the phantom god invoked by the devotee.
As to the state of final liberation which is the summum bonum, we are told (p. 329) :---
"Kaivalya moksha consists in complete dissolution of personality or separateness into one Absolute, Adwaita [non-dual]. It is inconceivable and beyond the reach of mind, and that is the reason why even the great rishis and arrhatas of Jain religion refuse to believe in a final liberation. None of the ancient or modern sages, of whom the name and form are known to you, has acquired Kaivalya moksha. Neither I (the phantom Vasishta], nor even the well-known Rama, Krishna, Budha, Christ, etc., have attained it. They are yet a long way from the goal."
No wonder rationalism refuses to believe in a mythical state which can neither be conceived by the mind nor be pointed out as having been experienced by any known being? On p. 330 we are given the last word on the subject. It is said in answer to "the dreamer's" question: "Who, then, can go beyond the spheres of creation and attain what you call kaivalya moksha?" :
"Those only who reach the highest stage.........in this life, have no disciples or adherents and leave no name and form after them.........Some of these.........you will find confined in your lunatic asylums....... They obtain Kaivalya moksha the moment their earthly sojourn.........comes to an end."
There are said to be sixteen stages of advancement called bhumikas. Put in a tabulated form, they are as follows:
Serial number.
1
2
3
APPENDIX.
Name of the
stage.
Jagrat-jagrat
Jain Education International
Jagratswapna
Jagratsushupti
Characteristics.
First dawn of consciousness marked by inability to discriminate between any two states of existence. To be found in newly born babies and lower animals.
Knowledge, during the waking state, of the existence of dream state, but not of deep-sleep or turya.
Retention of the memory of deep-sleep. Here people remember the minutest details of their dreams on waking up. Almost all human beings reach up to this stage.
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