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## Gatha 476-477
**Gatha 476**
A deceitful person, with a wicked mind, acts in one way with his body and speech, but thinks differently in his mind. What purity can such a deceitful person attain? A deceitful person is greatly impure. A deceitful person is constantly tormented by the poison of deceit. Therefore, he cannot follow the principles of non-violence, etc.
**Gatha 477**
Those who desire to embrace Dharma should completely abandon falsehood. There is a great and eternal conflict between Dharma and falsehood, known as "Saha-anavasthiti". Just as cold and heat, or the sun and the moon, cannot coexist in the same place, Dharma and falsehood cannot coexist. Falsehood is like a thorn that has not been removed from the body. A person afflicted by the suffering caused by falsehood will never attain liberation.
**Commentary**
Even a "Bhidan" thorn, which causes suffering to living beings, should be abandoned. It is not suitable for a righteous person to bear this thorn, as it destroys all vows. There are two types of "Nidana" (causes): auspicious and inauspicious. Auspicious "Nidana" is further divided into two types: one that leads to worldly existence and the other that leads to liberation. For those who desire to destroy karma, attain enlightenment (the three jewels), achieve Samadhi (meditation on Dharma, meditation on purity), and eliminate worldly suffering, this auspicious "Nidana" is the cause of liberation. For those who desire a suitable land (Aarya Khand), a suitable time (a time of suffering and happiness), a suitable birth (a high Jain family), a suitable environment (a city of Jain followers), and auspicious feelings and wealth, this auspicious "Nidana" is the cause of worldly existence. The first auspicious "Nidana" leads to a pure, unique, and infinite abode of happiness, i.e., liberation. The second auspicious "Nidana" causes some suffering, as it leads to worldly existence in order to attain a suitable land, time, environment, birth, feelings, and wealth for the attainment of Jain Dharma. Inauspicious "Nidana" is also the cause of worldly existence, as it is motivated by enjoyment and pride. It is blameworthy and hinders entry into the abode of the liberated.
Therefore, only a person free from the thorns of deceit, falsehood, and inauspicious "Nidana" can become a vow-taker. Auspicious "Nidana" is not to be abandoned, as it is the direct and indirect cause of liberation. A person with right vision constantly desires to be reborn as a human being, to take vows, and to attain the happiness of liberation. The desire for a suitable land, time, environment, birth, and feelings for the practice of self-restraint is also inherent in the desire for self-restraint.
**Note:** The commentary refers to the "Siddhantasara Sangraha" (4.245-252) for further details.