________________
THE TRUTH
7-PASSIONS
Desires develop into passions (or powerful emotions) when they are actively in operation. An active longing for a thing is termed greed. The state of the fury which blazes up when one is thwarted in the obtainment or enjoyment of an object of desire is anger. The cunning that is resorted to to secure an object of desire is deceit. The state of intense self-glorification which results by the possession of the desired object or state is pride.
Passions may assume four different degrees of intensity. They may be mild, strong, overpowering, and irresistible, that is, simply uncontrollable. The worst of these are the passions of the irresistible type when they are at the boiling point (so to speak). He who is under their influence will not stop at anything, and will act as a mad man. He will even kill himself or any other person.
39
There are many forms of the passions; but they are all formed out of the primary four.
Jain Education International
All forms of passions interfere more or less with the serenity of the mind, and the intellectual work. This is because passions are but violent forms of desire which means a mental craving or agitation. The sight of an object will agitate the mind of the man or animal who entertains a desire for its possession or enjoyment. He
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org