rebirth is the goal. To achieve liberation one’s soul must be free from all karma. This salvation is obtained by personal effort alone. It is accomplished by the life of severe mortification of which Jina set the example. Even death by voluntary starvation cannot bring about liberation, but it does improve the soul’s situation in the next birth. Twelve years of ascetic life as a Jainist monk and eight rebirths are necessary to constitute the purgatorial preparation for the Jainist heaven.