From IIM Ahmedabad To Happiness

Author(s): Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp Printers

Page 84

FROM IIM-AHMEDABAD TO HAPPINESS
There were neither books, nor computers, nor research laboratories available to our pre-historic men. Whence could they have gained their profound knowledge, if not from within - the only source from which we all learn anything. Sir Isaac Newton learnt the law of gravitation not from the falling apple, but from meditation and deliberation. All knowledge comes from these two sources. With the help of the torch of the intellect and reason, the sages applied themselves to the study of the open book that Nature is, and the Truth revealed itself to them in full glory.
In a previous chapter, we had mentioned about the existence of seven substances or tattvas - the soul, the non-living, influx of karmic matter into the soul, bondage, cessation of influx, destruction of existing bonds, and liberation. It is clear that we want our soul to be freed from these karmic bonds, as far as possible. No soul desirous of its welfare can afford to remain ignorant of them. The problem of breaking the karmic bonds is resolvable into the following seven points, which follow from our knowledge of the tattvas:
Jiva - the soul: Gives us an idea of the nature of that which is to be freed.
Ajiva - the non-living: What is the nature of the substance of which the chains of bondage are composed?
Asrava - influx of karmic matter into the soul: How does the second substance approach the first?
Bandha - bondage: How are the bonds forged?
Samvara - cessation of influx: In what way can we stop the forging of fresh bonds?
Nirjarā - destruction of existing bonds: How to destroy those actually existing now?
Moksha - liberation: What will be the nature of the soul once the bonds have been destroyed?
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