Jain Journal 2012 07

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 14

Sagarmal Jain: The Historical Development of Jaina-Joga-System
15
summed up in the practice of Sāmāyika or Samatva-yoga. For Jainas Samatva-yoga is the excellent blend of the right-faith, right knowledge and right conduct. The Uttaradhyayanasutra mentions; nādamsaṇissa ṇāṇam, ṇāṇena vinā na hunti ceraṇaguna. Agunissa natthi mokkho, natthi amokkhassa nivbyānam (28.30)
Knowledge is impossible without a right view-point or faith and without right knowledge, right conduct is not possible and without right conduct, liberation remains unattainable. Thus all the three are needed for the attainment of emancipation.
Samatva yoga the fundamental Yoga of Jainism:
Sāmāyika or Samatva-yoga is the principal concept of Jainism. It is the first and foremost among six essential duties of a monk as well as of a house-holder. Prākṛta term Sāmāiya is translated into Englih in various ways such as observance of equanimity, viewing all the living beings as one's own self, conception of equality, harmonious state of one's own self, conception of equality, harmonious state of one's behaviour, integration of personality as well as righteousness of the activities of mind, body and speech. Acārya Kundakunda also used the term samāhi (samadhi), in the sense of sāmāyika where it means a tensionless state of conciousness or state of self-absorption. In general sense the word sāmāyika means particular religious practice, through which one can attain equanimity of mind. It is an end as well as means in itself. As a means it is a practice for attaining equanimity while as end it is the state in which self is completely free from the flickerings of alternative desires and wishes, excitements and emotional disorders. It is the state of self absorption or resting in one's own self. In Āvasyakaniryukti, it is mentioned that the sāmāyika is nothing but one's own self in its pure form. Thus, form transcendental point of view, sāmāyika means realisation of own self in its real nature15. It is the state in which one is completely free from attachment and aversion. In the same work Arya Bhadra also mentions various synonyms of sāmāyika. According to