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Misconception/bondage is caused due to lack of understanding of cause and effect relationship. The argument is summarised as follows -
Bondage
Real Cause (own contribution) Soul Karma (atoms)
Associate Cause (others contribution) Karma (atoms)
Perception based Material based
Soul
For perception-based bondage (ie., soul's bondage), the real cause is changes in perceptions of a soul and, at that moment, attention is diverted towards material objects or fruition of karma particles and hence this is only the associate cause. For material bondage (of atoms/ particles), atoms are the real cause and soul is only the associate cause. However, for any bondage, both the types of causes co-exist. The primary reason for material-based bondage to take place is perception-based bondage. Further, when a person acts as per the fruition of material-based particles, perceptionbased bondage takes place. This cycle is repeated whereby misconception and ignorance are perpetuated and hence the cycle of life and death. If one fails to discriminate between these types of causes, the following misconceptions take place.
1. knowledge of self and other objects is vitiated when both are treated as identical 2. faith or perception about beneficial or baneful nature of self and other objects is
vitiated when both are treated as identical control is exercised on other objects when it is to be exercised on the self, leading
to meaningless efforts and ultimate failure 4. believes in being responsible for causing changes in other objects. This false belief
leads to attachment, ego, avarice, etc. One likes changes if favourable and dislikes
if unfavourable. 5. derives pleasures or feels pain as other objects change on the false assumption
that those changes are helpful or harmful to his own self.
The above five features occur instantaneously as one identifies himself with other objects. Take an example of soul and body. Without the distinction between soul and body, (1) Knowledge of body is identified with that of the self. (2) Nature of body is
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