THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS

...known sensual pleasures. Many souls have often heard and understood the teachings regarding the soul's bondage to Karmic matter Subtle physical particles that cling to the soul due to passions, obscuring its true nature., as well as the concepts of spiritual merit and demerit, and have felt these truths deep within their hearts. This is an experience common to all people. However, it is difficult to put these teachings into practice, especially since the specific details of the process of Self-Absorption The state of the soul being entirely focused on its own pure nature, free from external influence. must be followed precisely. The author here urges the reader to pay concentrated attention to the subject matter of this book so that it may be fully understood.

I shall show that unique oneness of the soul through my own power of self-realization. If I demonstrate it truly, let it be accepted as evidence; if I fail to express it correctly, do not mistake my error for a deliberate deception. || 5 ||
original: तं एयत्तविभत्तं दाएहं अप्पणो सविहवेण । जइ दाइज्ज पमाणं चुक्किज्ज छलं ण घेत्तव्वं ॥ ५ ॥ (Prakrit)
तमेकत्वविभक्तं दर्शयेऽहमात्मन: स्वविभवेन । यदि दर्शयेयं प्रमाणं च्युतो भवामि छलं न ग्राह्यं ॥ ५ ॥ (Sanskrit)

Commentary

The author states that his description of the absolute oneness of the soul is based on the strength of his own self-realization. This description should be accepted in the light of one's own individual experience, which is built upon: (1) the sacred scriptures, (2) teachings from spiritual masters, (3) logical analysis and testing from various perspectives, and (4) constant meditation and the realization of the true nature of the self. What a reader might be tempted to call "errors" are not mistakes in the traditional sense, but rather different aspects of the spiritual vision granted to the author.

The knowing essence (the pure soul) is neither in a state of spiritual negligence nor in a state of perfect vigilance. Pure sages say that the soul is simply the "Knower," and it remains exactly as it is. || 6 ||
original: णवि होदि अपमत्तो ण पमत्तो जाणगो दु जो भावो । एवं भणंति सुद्धा णादा जो सो दु सो चेव ॥ ६ ॥ (Prakrit)
नापि भवत्यप्रमत्तो: न प्रमत्तो ज्ञायकस्तु यो भाव: । एवं भणंति शुद्धा: ज्ञाता य: स तु स चैव ॥ ६ ॥ (Sanskrit)

6. This means that the knowing substance (the pure soul) does not inherently belong to the stage of perfect vows original: Apramatta. A higher spiritual stage characterized by constant awareness and lack of spiritual "sloth." (or any higher spiritual level), nor does it belong to the stage of imperfect vows original: Pramatta. A stage where the seeker has taken vows but still experiences spiritual negligence. (or any lower spiritual level).