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NIRJARĀ
59
the nervous' threads' which enter into the 'warp and woof,' of the 'bushel' are loosened and detached from one another, and dispersed in all directions, leaving the effulgence of pure ' Light' free to manifest itself. For this very reason, the liability to sleep, which arises from the preponderance of matter in certain centres of the brain, is also destroyed prior to the attainment of kevala jñāna (omniscience).
Dhyāna (concentration of mind), thus, is the direct means to the attainment of mokşa. It not only enables one to purge one's consciousness of all kinds of evil passions and inclinations by preventing the uncontrolled wandering of the mind, but also destroys the veil of matter which bars the manifestation of one's divine powers and attributes--omniscience, bliss and the like. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Scripture should describe it as the sole means of escape from the bondage of karma, and should lay down the most minute instructions for its practising.
