________________
Tattvārthasūtra
of the present, liberation is attained in the abode of the liberated, in the region of liberation, one's own spatial points or in space. From the standpoint of the past, liberation is attained on the basis of birth in fifteen continents of labour - karmabhūmi, or, from the point of view of those transported, in the human region. Kāla: With regard to time (kāla), in what period is liberation attained? From the standpoint of the present, the soul attains liberation in one instant. From the standpoint of the past, in general, one who is born in the ascending (utsarpiņī) or descending (avasarpiņī) cycles of time attains liberation. In particular, one who is born in the last part of the third period - susamadussamā - or in the fourth period - dussamasusamā – of the descending (avasarpini) cycle of time attains liberation. He who is born in the fifth-dussamā - period of the cycle of time, does not attain liberation in the fifth period. One does not attain liberation at other times. Taking the universe together, liberation is attained at all times in the ascending and descending cycles of time. Gati: With regard to the state of existence, in what state is liberation attained? It is attained in the state of liberation or in the human state. Linga: By what sign is liberation attained? Liberation is attained in the stage without sign (aveda) or from the three signs (veda). This statement is on the basis of the psychical signs and not the physical ones. On the basis of the physical sign, liberation is attained from the male sex only. Or, it is attained from the without-attachment (nirgrantha) sign, or from the with-attachment (sagrantha) sign from the standpoint of the past. Tīrtha: With regard to Lordship (tīrtha), it is of two kinds, namely, by being a Tīrthankara, and by not being a Tīrthankara. The latter are of two kinds, those who attain liberation when there is the presence of a Tīrthankara, and those who attain liberation when there is no Tīrthankara. Cāritra: By what conduct is liberation attained? It is attained by the conduct with no name or by one, four and five kinds of conduct. Pratyekabuddha and bodhitabuddha: The self-enlightened (i.e., those who get enlightened or become true believers by their own inherent
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
416
