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Teachings of Mahavira
119
in which all the functions of his bodily organs cease and the four remnants of his Karma are at the same time destroyed.
73. Freedom from Karma (Akarmata)
After getting rid of his Audārika Kārmaņa (and Taijasa) bodies the soul takes the form of a straight line, goes in a moment, without touching anything and taking up no space, (upwards to the highest Ākāśā), and then develops into his natural form and obtains perfection.
THE FOUR REQUISITES
It is difficult for a living being to obtain these four things of great value : (1) Human birth, (2) Instructions in the Law, (3) Belief in it, and (4) Power of self-control.1 The universe is filled with innumerable creatures born in the world in different families and castes for having done various actions. Sometimes they go to the world of gods and sometimes to hell and sometimes they become Asuras (demons) in accordance with their actions ; sometimes they become Kshatriyas or Chandālas or worms or ants. Living beings of sinful actions, who are born again and again, are not disgusted with this Sańsāra. Through the destruction of thcir Karma, living beings will reach in time a pure state and will be born as men. Though born as human beings, it would be difficult for them to hear the law ; having heard it, they will do penances, combat their passions, and abstain from killing living beings. It will be difficult for them to believe in the law though indeed they will hcar it. Many who are shown the right way are lcd astray.
The pious obtain purity and the purc stand firmly in the law. Having cnjoyed in duc time the unrivalled pleasures of human life, they will obtain true knowledge through thcir purc religious merit acquired in a former birth; knowing full well that the four requisites are difficult 10 obtain, wicy will apply themselves to self-control and will be eternal Siddhas (perfccica
1. Utori, III, 1. 9. Ibid, IIT, 7.
