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सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
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|| EKONATRIMSH ADHYAYAN : ||
SAMYAKTVA PARAKRAM
Foreview
This chapter is named Samyaktva Parakram or Fortitude in Righteousness. It provides an inspiration to endeavour towards righteousness. Some acharyas call it Apramaadashrut (Lesson of Non-stupor) and others name it as Vitaragashrut (Lesson of Detachment). But after a serious thought on the subject matter of this chapter we find that the title Samyaktva Parakram or Fortitude in Righteousness is most appropriate.
In the preceding chapter four means of attaining liberation are described. One of them is righteousness. It also gave inspiration to make efforts in that direction.
This chapter contains directions as to how endeavour towards and fortitude in righteousness is achieved.
It is natural that questions arise in the mind of an aspirant about craving for liberation, disgust for the mundane, faith in religion, providing service and care to others, critical review, self-criticism, censure and other such activities, which are done by an aspirant under instructions from seniors. The questions could be-Do those activities bear any fruits or not? And if they do, then what and how? What are the spiritual benefits to the aspirant? What special virtues he attains ?
Seventy three such questions are compiled in this chapter along with their answers.
The questions are brief and so are the answers; but they are pregnant with great secrets.
For example we may take the first question. It is about samvega or craving for liberation? In its reply fruits starting from gaining faith in religion up to attaining liberation in third rebirth have been mentioned. Other questions have also been answered in the same style.
Answers of even simple questions are all enveloping.
The order of questions and answers is well organized. The questions begin with craving for liberation and end with defining complete absence of karmas or the state of liberation. Aspirant's life also begins with liking and craving for liberation and his ultimate goal is emancipation.
This chapter is presented in question-answer style. Questions related to all topics discussed in Uttaradhyayan Sutra find answers in this chapter. That is the reason this chapter is called the heart of Uttaradhyayan Sutra.
Critical assessment reveals that this chapter provides solution to all the spiritual queries of an aspirant.
The chapter contains 73 questions and their answers in 74 maxims.
ye.