Book Title: Enlightened Vision of the Self
Author(s): Akalankadev, Devendra K Goyal
Publisher: Radiant Publishers New Delhi

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Page 116
________________ 104 THE ENLIGHTENED VISION OF THE SELF go forward. 2. Nihkankshita (freedom from desires or attachment to worldly things) The faith in Self or (atman) enables a Samyakdrashti to attain a sort of mental equilibrium and consequently he does not fear death and is not disturbed by pain, censure, insecurity, etc. He endeavours to inculcate the virtues of modesty, forsaking all pride of learning, honour, family, affluence, etc. and limitation of wants and desire. Eventually, he wants to be nihkankshita (free from all desires and attachment for worldly things). 3. Amudhatas (freedom from delusive notions and follies). A Samak drashti, having an open mind, is ever eager to learn from history and experience and is grounded in anekant, scientific outlook and rational thinking. He is not slave to customary beliefs, traditions, or conventions or vested interests. He is, thus, free from delusive notions and follies (amudhatas). 4. Niridhikitsa (freedom from disgust). As a Samyakdrashti has acquired a discriminatory insight about the reality of things, the Self and the non-Self, he is free from disgust (Nirudhikitsa), and feels no revulsion at the sight of human sickness, insanity or ugliness. He does not hate or condemn others on grounds of religion, race, colour, creed or nationality. 5. Vatsalya (disinterested affection or selfless love). Not only does a Samyakdrashti avoid hating others, he is also enjoined to practice atsalya (disinterested affection or selfless love) for fellow beings, dedicating his life to the service and support of all human beings without any distinction of race, religion, sex or nationality. 6. Upguhana (to hide shortcomings of others) or Uparrahana (cultivation of virtuous dispositions). Another characteristic of a Samyak drasthi is upguhana (tendency to cover up or hide from public view the shortcomings of persons) or uparhana, that is cultivation of virtuous dispositions of honesty, gratitude, ahimsa (non-violence), forgiveness, modesty, straightforwardness, etc. 7. Sthitikarana (re-establishing oneself and others on the path of righteousness). When people deviate from the path of righteousness under the influence of greed, possessiveness, conceit and pride and indulge in aggressiveness and exploitation of the weak, a Samyak drasthi endeavours to re-establish them on the path of righteousness Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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