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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir
Conclusion
783
The special contribution of the Vaişņava Ācāryas and Saints and the S'aivas to the idea of Moksa consists in regarding that it can be attained by men of any caste and origin irrespective of their social status on the strong ground of sincere, earnest, and exclusive devotion (bhakti) to God. No other thing except the sincere uttering of the name of God is necessary, according to them, for the attainment of Moksa. Thus, Moksa became attainable by all the people of all the castes. Attainment of Moksa thus became more simplified and possible for many, and no more did it remain an exclusive possession of the higher castes. It no more required the scholarly knowledge of the S'rtis and the sacrificial rites. Moksa came to be universalised. It also lost the original negative and nihilistic trend and was turned into a positive experience of perfect knowledge, perfect bliss, and power. It no more meant freedom from pain and suffering only, but it meant later on, the enjoyment of the company of God with all His powers except that of creation and governance. S'amkara does not allow even this much distinction because he attributes all distinctions to ignorance and its adjuncts. He means by Moksa the highest freedom and the experience of infinitude, perfect existence, perfect knowledge, and perfect bliss by actually becoming identical with the Brahman itself. When it is attained, all the so-called worldly things and pains lose their reality.
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