Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 375

The Final Commitment
347
What is important and frequently re-iterated in the Sūtras is the need in all circumstances for a sense of moderation, the avoidance of all forms of exaggeration, vanity, deceit, wordiness, vulgarity, lack of consideration for others. Hemacandra has expressed very clearly the deep meaning of this mahāvrata:
Friendly, kind and genuine is termed the vow of sūnsta; disagreeable and unkind speech (is) not genuine even [if it is)
true. 42
This means that, even if the spoken word adheres to the facts, is just in itself, it is not a genuine word, for it lacks the expression and inner attitude of friendly benevolence which is a sign of harmony within.
According to niscaya, the jiva (ātman) is the supreme and sole Reality; all forms of criticism or appreciation concerning both beings and things, even if correct, are only very relative, have no value and are even harmful if, in pronouncing them, one impairs anyone's peace of mind, one's own or that of the one with whom one is speaking. For speech to be truly genuine it must be priya and pathya (or hita): friendly, benevolent and salutary.
C - Asteya: Abstention from stealing
The third mahāvrata concerns renunciation of covetousness, that type of covetousness that impels one to appropriate to oneself things that belong to others, without their consent. It also implies ahiṁsā, for this sort of appropriation always involves, in varying degrees and according to the nature of the object, a certain form of violence. Asteya is to renounce adattā-dāna, any object that is not given. The text of this mahăvrata indicates clearly that it is a question of renouncing, wherever one may be and in whatever circumstances, the appropriation to oneself of anything whatever that has not been given and that this applies to objects both insignificant and significant, living or inert.43
42 priyaṁ pathyaṁ vacaḥ tathyaṁ sünţta vratam ucyate
tat tathyam api no tathyam apriyam ca ahitaṁ ca yat. YSas I, 21.
43 Cf. AS II, 15 (iii); DS IV, 13; VI, 13-14; cf. also ADH IV, 48-58; MA 1, 7; V, 94; SkrS I, 5, 1, 4; 10, 2. TS VII, 15; US XIX, 27.