________________
88
A Treatise on Jainism
neeya, Nama, Gotra and Ayu Karmas. Then the Soul leaving the body goes to Siddhalaya at the top of the universe, is finally free from all the Karmas and has accomplished all that was to be accomplished, Liberation-Moksha. Such a Soul is known as a Perfect Soul (Siddha). The Soul is a pure Soul substance full of the infinite attributes of Omniscience, Omnipotence, etc. In one word the Soul is itself God.
Thus, it will be seen that all these 14 Spiritual Stages are due to Wrong Belief, Vowlessness, Carelessness, Passions and Vibratory Activity. Carelessness (Pramada) in intensity or mildness lasts from the 1st to the 6th stage of Imperfect-vow. Therefore the first six stages are referred to by the word "Pramatta". All the other eight stages are meditation and free from carelessness in pursuing the Path of Self-realisation, and are described as "Apramatta". The stages are indices of degrees of progressing thoughtactivities. They are mere steps of ladder to reach the abode of Liberation. When the top is reached, the ladder is left behind. Thus
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
