Book Title: tman_and_moksa
Author(s): G N Joshi
Publisher: Gujarat University

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Page 854
________________ Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra 822 www.kobatirth.org Acharya Shri Kailashsagarsuri Gyanmandir Atman and Mokşa indicates an advance from pluralism to dualism, it did not finally succeed in establishing the perfect Absolutism. It is an intermediate stage between Pluralism and Monism or Absolutism. The concept of the Self (Atman) finally culminates into the absolute Monism or Absolutism of Sankara. The Absolute of S'amkara is spiritual in nature Though logically the culmination of the philosophic thought is reached in S'amkara's Idealistic Absolutism, it is not the only evolution; it is not the only culmination of the linear and historical evolution, since other offshoots and regressive concepts also are noticeable. But in general, the tendency of the progress of the philosophic thought seems to have logically evolved the Absolute of S'amkara which, according to him, can be realized by knowledge (jñāna). For Private And Personal Another line of progress of the philosophic thought seems to have concurrently evolved towards Mysticism or Personal Bhaktivada. Another alternative evolution towards Absolutism ends in the Personalistic Monism (monotheism) of Rāmānuja, Nimbārka, Madhva, Vallabha, and the other Medieval Vaiṣṇava Saints and the S'aivas. S'amkara's Absolute is devoid of any personality, whatsoever. But the Absolute of the Vaisnava Acaryas and Vaiṣṇava Saints and of the S'aivas possesses celestial personality, infinite number of auspicious and the best qualities, love and mercy for the devotees, and God (He) liberates them out of mercy with His grace. Their Personalistic Absolute is approachable by love and devotion (Bhakti). He (God) can

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