Book Title: Jainism And Its History
Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology

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Page 252
________________ use the gift of the nature, but has no right to deprive others of using these gifts. In Jainism and Patanjali-yoga system the principle of nonpossession (Aparigraha) is accepted is fifth vow, but if viewed seriously it is the first basic principle. Jaina thinkers are of the view that if this very principle is violated all other vows automatically becomes violated because as the root of violence and theft there is lust for power and possession. According to Uttarādhyayana Sūtra the root of all mental and physical sufferings is the desire for worldly enjoyment. Therefore only detachment from the worldly enjoyment can put an end to suffering. While materialism seeks to eliminate suffering by fulfillment of human desire it cannot eradicate the primal cause from which the stream of suffering wells up. Materialism does not have an effective means to quench the thirst for possession of worldly objects. It only attempts at temporary appeasement of a yearning, and this has the opposite effect of causing the desire to flare up like fire fed by an ablation of butter. Uttarādhyayana states, even if an infinite number of mountains of gold and silvers, each as large as the Kailasa are conjured up, they would not be able to satisfy the human desire for possessions because the desire is as infinite as the sky. The concept of Aparigraha does not forbid an individual to fulfill his basic needs such as hunger, thirst, etc. The fundamental message of this principle is to eradicate the desire for power and possessions and lust for sensuous enjoyments. The principle also makes us aware of every living beings right to nature's bounty. It questions the very concept of possession, for possession implies denying and depriving the others of their right to that which is possessed. This truth is stated in Mahabharata too, so for as Jainism and its History | 250

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