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JĪVAKACINTĀMAŅI, A CHANNEL OF MAHĀVĪRA'S TEACHINGS 37
liberation. The knowledge of these three were first imparted to Jivaka by his teacher Accañandi as "the ambrosia for the four kinds of souls is the possession of the three guņas which form the path of Lord Jina."1 Jivaka's acquisition of the knowledge of these three are well explained by the author in a beautiful allegory. It is said that after having locked the door against the bad course of actions which do not destroy birth, by fixing the jewelled door of right knowledge on the doorstep of right faith and bolting it with the lock of right conduct, he, the one who wears the full-bloomed flower garland, opened the way to climb into the boundlessly happy world which is not ruled by anyone.2
Once Jívaka has attained the ratnatraya he is ready for the progress towards salvation. First, he prepares himself for the ascetic life as a householder. Through the life of Jivaka as a householder the poet shows the gradual development of a the first five guṇasthānas. Jivaka never fails from his duty as a good Jaina householder. He imparts knowledge to people and makes them realise the greatness of Mahāvīra's thought. Once he gives knowledge to a hunter and converts him, a flesh eater, to lead a moral life.3 On another occasion he imparts knowledge to the ascetics in the Citrakūta and explains to them how even right conduct would not save the soul if it is not followed by the right faith.4
As a householder he observes the twelve vows, the five partial vows, (anuvratas) the three guņavratas, and the four Śikṣāvratas.5 The eleven stages i.e. the eleven pratimas, which are the steps to the spiritual progress of a soul in its fifth gunasthāna are clearly explained by the poet through the deeds of Jivaka. In the last three stages Jivaka renounces all his passions and his kingdom 1. Ibid. verse 374. 2. Ibid. verse 1436.
Ibid. verses 1233-1236.
Ibid. verses 1426-1436. 5. Muthuccumaru, p. 255 ff.
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