ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 296

INTERNATIO
SCHOOL
Truth and non- violence are co- related to each other. Truth is God. The whole world rests on the anchor of truth. The four passions (Kaṣāyas) anger, pride, māyā and greed are to be controlled. Greed may lead to speaking of untruth. So speaking truth may save a person from greed, for greedy person will resort to tell lie to get and amass more and more wealth or whatever may be the object.
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
Farenga
Uttarapurana gives a beautiful story of a person Satyaghosha, who always kept a knife in his thread chain wearing in his neck. Whenever asked he would say that he always spoke the truth and if ever he spoke untruth he would cut his tongue with the knife. Now see the greed of Satyaghosha. His fast friend came and kept his jewellery box with him as he was going out of station for six months. But when he came back and asked for the ornament box, he asked him to dig and collect from the place where he put them. There was nothing. The friend went to the king. The king ordered Satyaghosha to surrender his jewellery before the king. The king mixed some royal jewels in the box and asked the victim to take his ornaments. This man immediately collected his ornaments. Satyaghosha accepted his crime. Satyaghosha had committed breach of faith only for wealth. What we can say about this truth upholder Satyaghosha?
It may be concluded that only truth wins and not the lie (Satyameva Jayate Nānṛtam).
A truthful person is always happy and peaceful (Rtasya Gopadabhava).
"May there be always truth in my heart" (Akuti Satya Manso Meatsu).
2 Tattvärthasūtra, Umäsväti VI.1
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Supreme Restraint (Uttama Samyam)
Restriction is to control over desires which go on and go on and never satisfied. But a person who keeps his mundane carnal desires under control remains always contented. A self-disciplined person devoid of worldly pleasures is not over powered by anger, pride and deception. Without discipline, it is useless to wish for the attainment of good traits.
Restraint is the base for all the human activities of a person. In the vehicles there are brakes to check the speed in the same way there is restraint to control over the activities- mental, vocal and physical. These three activities are known as (Kayavāngamanaḥ karmayoga)2, our five senses they take a person to their different destinations as we are the slaves of
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