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## The Study of the Vaitaliya
This text discusses the practice of *sadanuṣṭhāna* (right conduct) and explains that it involves completely shutting off the senses and the *no-indriyas* (non-sensory faculties) from worldly desires. This means that the *dharma* (righteousness) based on *śruta* (scripture) and *cāritra* (conduct) becomes the sole purpose of life. This is because only the righteous seek *dharma*. A *samyamī* (self-controlled) practitioner should engage in *tapas* (austerity) with great strength and follow the path of *samyama* (self-restraint) with controlled senses. Why is this necessary? Because without *sadanuṣṭhāna*, true happiness cannot be attained in this world of suffering. As it is said:
"This human birth, like the flickering light of a firefly, is extremely rare and difficult to obtain. If one falls into the vast ocean of *saṃsāra* (the cycle of birth and death), it is almost impossible to be rescued."
Just as it is difficult for a needle and a grain of rice to meet in the ocean, so too is it difficult to obtain human birth. And even within this birth, it is even more difficult to be born in an *ārya-kṣetra* (a land of righteousness). Therefore, it is clear that true happiness is hard to achieve in this world of suffering.
Furthermore:
1. Among all beings, those that are mobile are superior. Among them, those with five senses are the best. And among those with five senses, humans are the most excellent.
2. Among humans, those born in a good *deśa* (land) are superior. Among those born in a good *kula* (family) are those of a noble *jāti* (caste). Among those of a noble *jāti*, those with good *rūpa* (appearance) and *samṛddhi* (wealth) are superior. Among those with good *rūpa* and *samṛddhi*, those with *bala* (strength) are the best.
3. Among those with *bala*, those with long *āyuṣka* (lifespan) are superior. Among those with long *āyuṣka*, those with *vijñāna* (knowledge) are the best. Among those with *vijñāna*, those with *samyaktva* (right faith) are superior. And among those with *samyaktva*, those who have attained *śīla* (good conduct) are the most excellent.
4. This is the summary of the path to *mokṣa* (liberation). Many have attained it, and some have yet to attain it.
5. Therefore, strive diligently on the path of *madhumān* (sweetness) and *anadukta* (unspeakable) by establishing yourself in *samādhi* (meditation). Abandoning all attachments, perform your duties with righteousness and always seek the highest good.
**Note:** The term "अणहे" (aṇhe) is a variant reading in the text. It means "one who is not attached" or "one who is free from attachments."
**Glossary of Jain Terms:**
* **Sadanuṣṭhāna:** Right conduct
* **No-indriyas:** Non-sensory faculties
* **Dharma:** Righteousness
* **Śruta:** Scripture
* **Cāritra:** Conduct
* **Samyamī:** Self-controlled
* **Tapas:** Austerity
* **Samyama:** Self-restraint
* **Saṃsāra:** The cycle of birth and death
* **Ārya-kṣetra:** A land of righteousness
* **Deśa:** Land
* **Kula:** Family
* **Jāti:** Caste
* **Rūpa:** Appearance
* **Samṛddhi:** Wealth
* **Bala:** Strength
* **Āyuṣka:** Lifespan
* **Vijñāna:** Knowledge
* **Samyaktva:** Right faith
* **Śīla:** Good conduct
* **Mokṣa:** Liberation
* **Madhumān:** Sweetness
* **Anaduka:** Unspeakable
* **Samādhi:** Meditation
* **Aṇhe:** One who is not attached, free from attachments