Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
## Chapter 42:
**The Upasaka Dasanga Sutra is as follows:** Doubt, Desire, Hesitation, Praise of Other Sects, and Glorification of Other Sects.
**Discussion:**
Accepting vows is not as difficult as adhering to them steadfastly. Adherence requires constant vigilance. One must remain unwavering even in the face of obstacles. To ensure stability in the vows taken and to prevent weakness in the mind of the Upasaka, the Jain practice of Sadhana-Paddhati provides a beautiful solution in the form of Atichar-Varjan.
Atichar means any kind of weakness, lapse, or partial defilement in the vow. If the Upasaka cannot overcome Atichar, it transforms into Anacahar. Anacahar means breaking the vow. Therefore, it is essential for the Upasaka to understand Atichars properly and to avoid them with awareness and self-strength.
The most important thing for an Upasaka is Samyaktava - that is, true faith in the principles, truth, and right belief. If the Upasaka loses Samyaktava, what else can they save? When untruth takes the place of truth in faith, it naturally leads to contradictions in conduct and life. Therefore, Bhagwan Mahavir first pointed out the Atichars of Samyaktava to the Shraman Upasaka and advised them not to engage in such conduct.
Here is a brief discussion of the five Atichars of Samyaktava:
**Doubt:** Doubt is having doubts about the principles spoken by the omniscient, such as the soul, heaven, hell, merit, demerit, bondage, liberation, etc. When doubt arises in the mind, faith falters, and belief wavers, it is called doubt. When doubt arises, the feeling of curiosity diminishes. Doubt is rooted in curiosity. When a person wants to know more about a principle or subject for clarity and to strengthen their belief, they ask questions. This is not called doubt because it strengthens their faith. In the Jain Agamas, when there is a sequence of questions and answers with Bhagwan Mahavir, it is said that doubt arises in the mind of the Prashrika. The questions of Indrabhuti Gautam, a prominent disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir, and the answers of Bhagwan are scattered throughout the entire Agam literature. Wherever Gautam asks questions, there is a mention of doubt arising in his mind. At the same time, he is also called a devout believer. Gautam's doubt was rooted in curiosity. It is not a fault for a Samyaktavi to have a doubt with faith, but they should not have a doubt rooted in disbelief.
**Desire:** Generally, this means to turn or bend one's desire towards something else. In this context, it means being influenced by external appearances, pomp, or other temptations and leaning towards another belief. A Samyaktavi should not be influenced by external displays.
**Hesitation:** The human mind is very fickle. It is filled with various resolutions and alternatives.