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20
THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS
verses, which strengthen right belief and prevent deviation from the right path, सकलमनेकान्तात्मकमिदमुक्तं वस्तुजातमखिलज्ञैः। किमु सत्यमसत्यं वा न जातु शङ्केति कर्तव्या ॥ २३ ॥
23. One should never entertain any doubt as to whether all these many-sided views of things proceeding from the omniscients, are true or untrue.
Commentary. This is called Nishankita Anga. The true believer must never be sceptical. Our intellects are limited, our capacities are narrow and it is impossibe for us to realize the complete knowledge of everything that exists. We have therefore to take many things on trust. Inquiry should not be stifled but it should begin in a reverent manner. With a firm belief in the truth. as laid down by the Lords of Wisdom, the earnest inquirer should proceed to investigate in a steady manner the real nature of the subjects of his inquiry, and light will come to him in fuller and fuller blaze, until he will himself enter the Hall of Wisdom, and se e and know all.
Belief must precede inquiry. As a foundation for right belief, the Seeker after Truth should to the best of his ability and ca apply his mental powers towards the understanding of the immediate truth of things near him, guided by the rules of common sense, logic and reasoning. इह जन्मनि विभवादीनमुत्र चक्रित्वकेशवत्वादीन् । एकान्तवाददूषितपरसमयानपि च नाकांक्षेत ॥ २४ ॥
24. The true believer should not desire worldy greatness in this life or for the position of a Chakravarti or Náráyana in the life hereafter; nor should he cling to other faiths, disfigur. ed by the adoption of one-sided theories.
Commentary.
A true believer does not hanker after worldly pleasures and greatness. Heis enamoured of spiritual happiness, which is far beyond the gratification of senses.
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