________________
Soul
omniscient Jiva's wander in the Samsara in an inomniscient state of knowledge, being polluted by the dirt of Karma. As soon as the clay is removed, water resumes its clearness and purity; in the same way, the Jiva's also resume their pure state of omniscience, when they succeed in removing the Karma-impurities from them by dint of self-culture and self-development. The liberation of a Jiva means its liberation from the influence of Karma.
In the liberated state of a soul, all Karma-forces covering its pure knowledge and omniscience are absolutely set aside. Accordingly Mokşa or liberation has been described
as
'समस्तावरणक्षयापेक्षम् । '
२।२३। प्रमाणनयतत्वालोकालंकारः । dependent on a complete annihilation of all (the Karma's) that cover (knowledge). Kevala-jñāna arises in the soul automatically as soon as these obstacles or Karma-coverings are removed from it. Kevala-jñāna is omniscience and as conceived by the Jaina's, it is not at all limited in any way.
'निखिलद्रव्यपर्यायसाक्षात्कारित्वरूप केवलज्ञानम् ।'
397
२|२८| प्रमाणनयतत्वालोकालंकारः ।
Omniscience consists in a direct apprehension of all the things with all their modes.
Jain Education International
JAINA DOCTRINE OF LIBERATED SOUL
To a liberated soul are directly revealed and clearly known all the things of the universe, past, present and future, with all their infinite qualities, modes and aspects. Omniscience, as conceived by the Jaina's, is thus unlimited, infinite, unrestricted and all-embracing. It seems to us that such an omniscience might have been attributed to Iśvara by some of the theistic systems of India; but none of them appear to have thought it possible in a soul either, as emancipated or as approaching emancipation.
UNRESTRICTED
OMNISCIENCE IN A
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