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THE PRACTICAL PATH.
solitary soul as the only reality and the true substratum of life in all forms. For either this all-pervading soul does not stand in need of moksha, or is to attain it at some future moment of time; but in the former case it is impossible to explain the longing of living beings for a taste of true happiness, and in the latter the very possibility of the attainment of perfection and bliss by different individuals is excluded by the hypothesis itself, because where the substratum of individual life is a solitary soul there can be no release except for all living beings at one and the same time. Furthermore, the idea of moksha for the individuals, cannot, on such a supposition, possibly mean anything more or less than utter, absolute annihilation of individuality, since the emancipation of the only true soul must be a signal for the exeunt of all others.
It is thus evident that no true concept of moksha is. possible on such a hypothesis, and since the realisation of the great ideal of the soul is not compatible with a vague ; or inconsistent conception thereof in the mind of the aspiring jiva, no one who pins his faith on such a doctrine is likely to reach the other shore.' And, so far as practicability, the only true test of utility, is concerned, it is evident that no one can be said to have been benefited by the doctrine hitherto, for the one soul is still subject to illusions and there has never been another tobe redeemed
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