Mahavira Life and Philosophy

Author(s): Sumeruchand Diwakar Shastri
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

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not broken, so the soul will attain liberation only when it takes to right action or adopts right conduct. Mere knowledge or wisdom will not solve the problem. Action is also necessary and is indispensable.
Ingredients
Right Conduct consists of control over all censurable activities motivated by passions. Abstinence from injury, falsehood, theft, unchastity and attachment for mundane objects, constitute right conduct. The pre-requisite for right conduct is right faith and right knowledge, because conduct bereft of these two essential factors will not lead to complete emancipation of the soul. Complete abstention from sinful activities is practised by saints, who have abandoned all worldly belongings including even apparel. Partial abstention is practised by the householders and laity.
Supreme vow
Amongst the five-fold vows, the observance of the vow of non-injury is supreme. Other vows of truth etc. are the supplementary vows. The absence of attachment and other passions is Ahimsa (Noninjury). He, who has passions, causes injury to his mental purity; whether injury is caused to other living beings or not, it is immaterial. The severance of ten vitalities or principles of life (namely the five senses, energy, respiration, life-duration, the organ of speech and mind) out of passion is injury. If the psychic disposition is tainted with passion