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Philosophy of Six Padas a
or Spiritual Steps* Salutations with utmost devotion to the revered saintly spiritual Master, the bestower of unequalled spiritual shelter (or spiritual refuge !
The enlightened personages who have achieved pure self-realization, have laid down the following six Padas (i.e. philosophical spiritual steps or aphorisms as the highest abodes of right perception or belief (samyag darshana) -
First Pada (spiritual step) : Soul is there. Just as substances such as pot, cloth etc. do exist soul also does exist. On account of certain qualities just as there is proof of pot, cloth etc. being in existence, there is proof of the existence of soul, in whom there is evident quality of consciousness, illuminating self and non-self (other than Soul).
Second Pada (spiritual step) : Soul is ever-existent. Substances like pot, cloth etc. are existent for a certain time, soul is existent in all the three times. Pot, cloth etc. are substances by virtue of combinations, soul is a substance by virtue of inbom nature, because for its origination there are not any experiencable combinations. Consciousness entity (is not capable of being originated by any permutations and combinations of substances, therefore it is uncreated. On account of its being a non-combination it is imperishable,
because one whose origination is not brought about by any combination. whatsoever cannot also merge itself into anything else.
Third Pada (philosophical spiritual step) : Soul is doer (of its own deeds). All substances are endowed with substantial efficacious process, all substances are seen associated with some or other process of modification. Soul also is endowed with activity. Because it is endowed with activity it is doer. This doership is analysed in three-fold way by Lord Jina (the conqueror of internal enemies like ignorance, passions, karmas etc.) - (1) From essential reality approach with regard to processes of innate chain of modes it is doer of its own modes. (2) From anupacharita
• Translated in English by Dr. Bhagvandas Mansukhbhai Mehta M. B. B. S.
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