Page 81 - Courage Redifined

Where does spiritual knowledge come in between ?
Wouldn’t Kamath know his soul’s real nature after
becoming a Deva ?

A. : Lack of spiritual knowledge definitely comes in here
because hatred emerged due to ignorance of the soul.
After becoming a Deva, he must have come to know by
his Vibhang Gyana* that he had become a Deva due to
the severe penance performed by him. But he did not
use this knowledge to increase his religious sentiments
and develop a calm and composed mind. Instead he
thought, “That Prince Parshwakumar saved the snake
from burning in the wood which was used in my Yagna
and it lead to my criticism amidst people. Fortunately,
I increased my penance and became a Deva here. Now
it is my turn to show him my power.” Thinking on these
lines, instead of calming down his mind, he burnt in the
fire of hatred and animosity. Thus, inspite of knowing his
past mistakes due to the knowledge in the Deva birth,
he could not pacify his anger and hatred. Then, can this
knowledge help one to identify the soul ? Can you call
this true knowledge ?

Q. : In the Deva birth he acquired the knowledge about the
nature of his soul in the previous birth. Then how can
this knowledge vanish due to hatred ?
A. : You first need to understand what do we call the real
knowledge of the soul.

What does knowing the soul mean ?

Is it possible that someone knows the soul, but does not know
that how can it be binded or freed from the ties of Karmas ?

* Vibhang Gyana - Knowledge about the limited past and future not
supported by Samyak darshana.
Ignorance : A Curse 71