Parmatma Prakash

Author(s): Yogindra Acharya
Publisher: Central Jaina Publishing House

Page 60

209-214]
209. One who understands the Shastras (scripture) and practises TapashCharan (asceticism) but who does not know the Parmârtha, cannot destroy his Karmas, and, consequently, cannot obtain Moksha.
PARMATMA-PRAKASH.
39
NOTE.-In order to obtain Moksha, a mere superficial understanding of Shastras and practising of asceticism is not enough. Religious books are only a secondary cause in understanding the Tattvas; in reality by means of the Vitrag (desireless), Svâsamvadana Jnana self realization), is the Atman (soul) distinguished from the non-Âtman (non-soul)
In
the same way, one might fast and practise other modes of asceticism, but these are only the external causes of realizing the true nature of the soul, the internal or real cause being the Vitraga Charitra of which the characteristic is steadiness in the calm, pure nature of Atman. To realize the true nature of the Atman and thereby to distinguish the soul from the non-soul, to purge oneself of attachment to the not-self and to become ealm and steady in the true self,-this is the Parmârtha; and without this one might read the whole scripture and apply himself to the hardest form of asceticism, but be cannot obtain Moksha.
210. One who having read the Shastras, does not give up Vikalpa (unsteadiness of mind), is a fool and does not know the Nirmal (faultless) and Shuddha (pure) Parmâtman who dwells in all souls.
-211. The Shastras are read in order to gain Jñana (knowledge), but he who having read them does not acquire Âtma-Jñana (spiritual knowledge) is a
fool.
NOTE. Although all kinds of learning, even including the reading of scripture, in a sense, constitute knowledge, but in reality Atma-Jnana (discernment of spirit from
non
spirit) is the highest Jnana without which all acquisition of scriptural knowledge is futile. One who is well versed in religious lore, but is lacking in an insight into the self and the not-self, may appear very learned to worldly eyes, but with reference to the Parmârtha (the highest object) he is still wanting in wisdom.
212. One who deals with letters only and does not apply his heart to the study of the nature of Âtman (soul), is like him who amasses plenty of bhoosi (husks) which contains no grains.
213. A Mithya Drishti (one who does not possess the right faith) cannot. get Moksha, even as one without Jñana (knowledge) cannot become a Muni (saint).
214. There is a great difference between a Jñani (wise) and an Ajñani (ignorant) Muni; the Jñani knows the Jiva (soul) as separate and distinct from the Deha (body) and wishes to abandon it (the body) even.