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Soul Science : Samayasara by Jain Ācarya Kundakunda
(vi) Know that the relative point of view is not accepted by the real point
of view. The saints who take refuge in the soul as described by the
real point of view attain liberation. [272] The summary of above mentioned stanzas in a single sentence may be written as follows: the right conduct of the soul is to abide in the soul.
In this regard, verse 111 of ĀtmaKhyāti written by Ācārya Amrtacandra is also worth noting:
मग्नाः कर्मनयावलंबनपरा ज्ञानं न जानंति यत् मग्ना ज्ञाननयैषिणोऽपि यदतिस्वच्छंदमंदोद्यमाः। विश्वस्योपरि ते तरंति सततं ज्ञानं भवंतः स्वयं ये कुर्वंति न कर्म जातु न वशं यांति प्रमादस्य च ।।
Meaning: Those who only depend on actions of body are immersed as they do not know the soul; persons desiring the real point of view are also
rsed due to laziness and lack of discipline [of body, speech, and mind). Those who realize themselves as soul, do not become doer of physical tasks, and never become lazy, float on the world.
A traditional ladder of spiritual conduct for householders
To streamline the gradual progress of enlightened householders, preceptors have described eleven stages of spiritual progress. These eleven stages are known as eleven Pratimā. Before coming to the explicit description of these eleven stages, the following points may also be noted in this regard: (a) The brief description of eleven Pratimā presented here is based on
details given in the scripture entitled, 'Ratnakarandaśrāvakācāra' written by Ācārya Samantabhadra (120-185 A.D.). Acārya Kundakunda also mentioned these 11 stages in the same order in stanza 22 in CāritraPāhuda: दसण वय सामाइय पोसह सचित्त रायभत्ते य।
बंभारंभपरिग्गह अणुमण उद्दिट्ठ देसविरदो य।। (b) We shall see that in the list of 11 Pratimā, the first 10 can be possible
without renouncing one's home, but 11" Pratimā cannot be possible in one's home. One may stop at any stage, and somebody may go beyond these 11 stages even before the formal adoption of these stages. If one wants to travel beyond these, then he/she may like to become a monk or
nun. (d) The attainment of SamyagDarśana without adopting any vow
indicates that the soul is in 4th Gunasthāna.
(c)
