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114
Lord Mahavira and His Times
Study helps him destroy the Karma which obstructs right knowledge.
19. Recital of the sacred texts (Vacana)
By the recital of the sacred texts, he obtains destruction of Karma and preserves the sacred lore.
20. Questioning the teacher (Paripricchanā)
By questioning the teacher, he arrives at a correct comprehension of the Sutra and its meaning.
21. Repetition (Parāvartana)
By repetition, he reproduces the sounds or syllables and commits them to memory.
22. Pondering (Anuprekshā).
By pondering on what he has learnt, he loosens the firm hold which the seven kinds of Karma have upon the soul ; he shortens their duration and mitigates their power.
23. Religious discourse (Dharmakatha)
Through religious discourses he destroys his Karma and exalts the creed, and by exalting the creed, he acquires Karma for the future bliss.
24. Acquisition of sacred knowledge (Śrutasyārādhana)
By the acquisition of sacred knowledge, he destroys ignorance.
25. Concentration of thoughts (Ekagramanaḥsannivesanā).
By concentration of his thoughts, he obtains stability of the mind.
26. Control (Saṁyama) By control, he achieves freedom from sins. 27. Austerities (Tapas) Austerities help him cut off Karma. 28. Cutting of Karma (Vyavadāna) By cutting off Karma, he obtains freedom from action. 29. Renouncing pleasure (Sukhasūta)
By renouncing pleasures, he obtains freedom from false longing.
30. Mental independence (Apratibaddhata)
Through mental independence he gets rid of attachmcnt.