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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
718
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
Atman and Mokṣa
God is the spirit of the world and he assumes different forms in different ways, just as water takes on itself the nature of that seed which it enters.' The spirit of God is in all things; their final place is in the undivided Self, which is without blemish or partner. That Self changes into 'mine' and 'thine', but do away with these and it is all one again.2. Thus, the same undivided Self, which is God Himself, differentiates into the infinite number of things and souls without undergoing any change in its essential nature. God deceives men by assuming infinite forms with the help of illusive power which cannot be fathomed.3 However, Tukārāma holds that the world and the jīvas are identical with God as He is present in everything, and everything is His own manifestation. It is through ignorance that we feel the multiplicity and differences, just as we perceive a snake in a rope; but in actuality it is all God, just as necklace, the collar, the golden bee, which when melted are only gold and nothing else. Thus, the same God appears in different forms but in essence He is all. God is identical with His creation. The world is to God as ripple on the ocean or as the cloth is to the threads. Tukārāma also holds that the world is only something that God has created only out of wit (vinoda); he is in God and God dwells in him; God speaks through his mouth and the two
For Private And Personal
1 Fraser J. N. and Marathe K. B. (Tr.): The Poems of Tukarama, Vol. II, 1655, p. 155.
2 Ibid. 1656, p. 159.
3 Ibid. 1656, p. 156.
4 Ibid. 1654, p. 155.
