Niyamsara

Author(s): Kundkundacharya, Uggar Sain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS.
used in its etymological sense. The word Ávashyaka has been derived from Avasha which means independent, thus the action of an independent saint is called an Ávashyaka karma, or independ. ent action.
A really true and independent saint must refrain from all good and bad thought-activities. At the same time it is necessary for him not to engage himself in the flickering thought-activities concerning various attributes and modifications of all the six substances (Dravyas). He should devote his whole attention to the realisation of the pure nature of his Own Self. It is only in this condition of self-absorption, that a saint is said to perform Avashyaka Karma (Independent Action).
If a saint or a layman merely observes his respective duties and vows, without having self-absorption as his real aim, he falls far short of the standard and cannot be called the real follower of the path of the Conquerors. He is known as a Bahir-átmá or External Soul, while a saint or a layman who believes in this Ávashyaka Karma of self-absorption and tries to work up to that, and does not restrict himself merely to the observance of external formalities, is called an Antar-Átmá, Internal Soul.
The seeker after truth should first scrutinise minutely and carefully the principles laid down in the Scriptures by the Conquerors, and being convinced of their truth, he should follow them calmly and peacefully, and should avoid all verbal wrangles or controversies with his own co-religionists as well as with those professing other faiths. Seekers after liberation should thus follow in the footsteps of their ancient great spiritual Leaders, who by practising Ávashyaka or independence have attained Nirvana.
CHAPTER XII. PURE CONSCIOUSNESS (SHUDDHA UPAYOGA.) जुगवं वट्टाइ णाणं केवलणाणिस्स दसणं च तहा। दिणयरपयासतापं जह वट्टइ तह मुणेयध्वम् ॥ १५६ ॥
युगपद् वर्तते ज्ञानं केवलज्ञानिनो दर्शनं च तथा । दिनकरप्रकाशतापौ यथा वर्तेते तथा ज्ञातव्यम् ॥ १५६ ।।