मोक्ष तत्त्व: षड्विमर्थ मुनि मदन कुमार भारतीय चिंतन में

Summary

The text discusses the concept of Moksha (liberation) in Jain philosophy, presenting it as the ultimate goal and highest good in life. It establishes a cause-and-effect relationship between dharma (righteous conduct) and moksha, where dharma is the means and moksha is the end. Moksha is described as a treasure of limitless happiness and is considered the best of all substances. The text cites various Jain scriptures, including the Sutrakritanga and Sthananga, to affirm the existence of moksha and warns against confusing it with bondage. Moksha is defined as the complete dissociation from all karmas, leading to the soul's establishment in its own true nature. Acharya Pujyapada and Acharya Tulsi are quoted for their definitions of moksha as the complete separation from karma and the state of being free from all karmas, respectively. The text explains that moksha signifies the end of the cycle of birth and death. While the physical body is shed at death, the subtle bodies (tejas and karman) persist, perpetuating the cycle. The cycle ends only when these subtle bodies are also discarded, which occurs when all karmic bondage is eliminated. The path to moksha is described as a fourfold path consisting of knowledge (jnana), faith (darshana), conduct (charitra), and austerity (tapa). The text details the process of liberation, starting with the destruction of the deluding karma, leading to the state of kevali (omniscient being). The kevali eventually stops all mental, verbal, and physical activities, reaching the ayogi or shaileshi state. At the end of this state, the four remaining karmas are destroyed, and the soul, shedding its three bodies, ascends to the top of the universe in a single moment without touching the intervening space. The text also mentions that the Nandi Sutra describes fifteen types of liberated souls based on their previous states. It concludes by contrasting the Jain view with that of Mim