Golden Steps To Salvation

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 82

7. OBSERVANCE OH PEOPLE OF EXCELLENT CONDUCT!
In Jain Dharma, a great emphasis is laid on the neces. sity of observance or practice. The Acaranga Sutra which cmbodies the principles relating to acharana or practice is the first and foremost of the forty-five Agamas (Shastras).
ज्ञान क्रियाभ्यां मोक्षः ॥
Frāna kriyabhyāṁ Mokshah. “Salvation results from knowledge and action."
According to this statement, action or observance is of greater importance than knowledge. Even in life, men who may be illiterate but whose conduct and action are good are given greater honour than those who are scholarly but whose conduct and action are ignoble.
Evil conduct pollutes the soul and noble conduct purifies and ennobles the soul. That is why great sages have proclaimed:
TTTT: Sant : il
Achärah Prathamo Dharmah. “Right action is the first and foremost dharma or duty."
Undoubtedly, knowledge is the first necessity but righteousness or dharma begins with right conduct. Evil conduct enfeebles the soul but good conduct ennobles it.
There is an English proverb which says, “If money is lost nothing is lost. If health is lost something is lost; and if Character is lost everything is lost." This is a great truth and we should realize its value.
68