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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
Conclusion
769
The first creation is caused by God only for sport; but later on the Adrsţa established the infinite chain of rebirths with the help of the actions which are performed under nescience Knowledge (jñāna), Karma (religious rites ), Yoga (physical and mental discipline and penance), and sincere bhakti (devotion) to God remove nescience that results in the prevention of new rebirth and thus it leads to liberation (Moksa). According to Advaita Vedanta of Samkara, the whole world is a product of avidyā (nescience) and therefore illusory. Ajñāna or nescience generally means not the absence of knowledge but the presence of wrong knowledge that distorts the perception of Reality. It possesses the two powers of concealment (āvaraņa) and distortion (vikṣepa). (11) The Soul - Its Pure and Empirical Aspects
The Vedas do not develop an elaborate distinction between the two forms of the soul. The soul, according to the Upanisads, in its pure and transcendental aspect is infinite, all-pervading, immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, the witness (Sāksin), free from all worldly limitations and imperfections, and is therefore, characterised by sat (existence), cit (consciousness ) and ānanda (bliss). It is pure, eternal, pure intelligence, eternally free; while the same Self becomes soul enveloped by nescience; it becomes the worldly soul that suffers from the worldly pains, limitations, and imperfections and revolves on the wheel of samsāra, does actions and experiences the fruits of them, good or bitter. It is deluded by Māyā. It has desires and is Ā 49
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