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Chapter - 9
Samayasāra bondage, is sure to become aware and conversant about the nature, i.e., the strength and weakness of the chain, the duration of his ordeal and many other parameters regarding his bondage. But all this knowledge is ineffectual in securing his freedom, if he doesn't make an effort to secure it. Much in the same way, though one may have vast theoretical knowledge regarding bondage of karma, i.e., one knows all about the four important features of bondage, viz., its extent (pradeșa bandha), its nature (prakrti bandha), its duration (sthiti bandha) and the intensity of its fruition (anubhāga bandha).'
In the same way, repeated thinking about various facets of the doctrine of karma, viz., the material nature of karma, relation between the soul and karma, classification of karma and various states and processes of karma, would prove to be of no avail in achieving freedom. Can a chained person secure his release and end his ordeal by contemplation, i.e. concentrating and canalizing his thoughts on the chains which have fettered him? Just as it is ridiculous to believe such a false notion, so also it is wrong to believe that mere contemplation of the doctrine of karma (after learning it thoroughly) can lead to liberation. What, then, is the method of securing liberation? The answer is given by the author in verse 9.5. The one and only way to obtain freedom from the chains which bind, is to cut off the chain and break the bondage. In the same way, the only way to achieve final liberation is to demolish the karma and break its bondage.
In the verses that follow, the author prescribes a systematic process by which pure consciousness can be isolated and directly experienced.
A Reliable, Systematic and Practical Method to isolate Pure Consciousness
बंधाणं च सहावं वियाणिदुं अप्पणो सहावं च।
बधेसु जो विरज्जदि सो कम्मविमोक्खणं कुणदि॥६॥ bamdhānam ca sahāvam viyānidum appaņo sahāvam ca. bamdhesu jo virajjadi so kammavimokkhanam kuņadi..6
जीवो बंधो य तहा छिज्जति सलक्खणेहि णियदेहिं।
पण्णाछेदणएण दु छिण्णा णाणत्तमावण्णा॥७॥ 1. For detailed discussion of four types of bandha see Introduction of Chapter 8.
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