Jainism and Democracy

Author(s): Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: I A S S Jain Conference New Delhi

Page 82

THE WAY OF INNER DEVELOPMENT
a year. This is why the Jains are so particular in observing the festival of Paryushar which is an annual festival of self-purification and introspection.
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A Samyagdṛṣṭi is expected to possess the following five virtues :
1. Sama: Natural tranquillity of soul caused by subsidance of psssions.
2. Samvaga: The sense of discrimination between right and wrong.
3.
Nirveda : A dislike towards the pleasures provided by the satisfaction of senses.
4. Anukampā: Kind heartedness and generosity. A natural desire to see every body happy.
5. Astikya: The firm faith in truth.
His heart is generous and full of love for others. He desires for the happiness of all and tries to help miserable persons. Amitagati has beautifully depicted his behaviour in the following lines :--
Sattveşu maitrim gunisu pramodam, Klişteşu jivesu kṛpaparatvam, Madhyasthyabhavam Viparitavrttan, Sadā mamātma vidadhatu deva.
O Lord! may my soul cultivate the habit of friendship with all beings, pleasure to see the virtuous, kindness towards the afflicted and indifference for opposition.
The fifth gunasthāna is Desavirati. The aspirant in the fourth was expected to have a right attitude. He
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