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132
TIRTHANKARA MAHAVIRA AND HIS SARVODAYA TIRTHA
the great vows, etc, has been attributed the position of the key to the conduct For certain true conduct stands for a total absence of passions 184
We have as follows in the Malacāra.
akasāyam tu carittam kasāyavasio asamdajo hodi uvasamadi jamhi kāle takkāle samjado hodi 185
A passion free state is called conduct A state in the grip of passions is an uncontrolled state. When passions are no more, it is a controlled state.
Acarya Pajyapada has gone to the extent of writing as follows Samadhisataka:
in
apun yamavrataih punyam vratairmok sastayoryyayah avratānīva moksārthi vratänyapı tatastyajet
Five non-vows like violence, etc, give impious bondage while five vows like non-violence, etc, give pious bondage, exhaustion of both leads to mokşa So one covetous of mokşa should not only give up non-vows but also vows
Worthy of attention in the above is the need to give up vows and non-vows, and to give them up in the same manner. In fact, these are like two boundaries. Thus, first no one need feel that non-vows are inferior to a greater degree than vows; both are equally bad and unwholesome. And, second, while giving up vows, one should not enter the territory of non-vows, but enter into a state of detachment. For advice is tendered to help one to climb up, not to slip down. If one gives up vows and enter the territory of non-vows, it is still wrose.
Hence those who want to be liberated from the misery of worldly life or who desire to rise up in all respects and be fully happy should acquire right faith and knowledge and get their conduct fixed in detachment. This is the only way of liberation
184 Mok samärgaprakasaka, pp. 229-30 185 Mulācāra, Gatha, 982.
