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THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS
Commentary Right belief and Right knowledge both are two distinct attributes of Jiva. They respectively are obscured by two distinctive Karmas, wrong belief, mithyátya, and knowledge obscuring, Jnanavarana. On the attainment of Right belief, the knowledge then existing becomes Right knowledge; but because of the existence of knowledge-obscuring karma in operation, it is not perfect. Therefore it is necessary to make constant endeavours for advancement of knowledge as long as omniscience is not evolved. सम्यग्ज्ञानम् कार्य सम्यक्त्व कारणं वदन्ति जिनाः। ज्ञानाराधनमिष्टं सम्यक्त्वानन्तरं तस्मात् ॥ ३३॥
33. The Conquerors have called Right knowledge the effect and Right belief the cause. Therefore, it is desirable to be striving after knowledge on attaining Right belief. कारणकार्यविधानं समकालं जायमानयोरपि हि । दीपप्रकाशयोरिव सम्यक्त्वज्ञानयोः सुघटम् ॥ ३४॥
34. Although Right belief and Right knowledge are contemporaneous, there is yet a clear relation of cause and effect between them, just as there is between a lamp and its light.
Commentary. Lamp and light go together ; still the lamp precedes the light, and light cannot be said to precede the lamp. In the same way there is the relation of cause and effect between Right belief and Right knowledge, though both are almost simultaneous. Right knowledge cannot precede Right belief, and from this point of view Right knowledge is called the effect and Right belief the Cause. कर्तव्योऽध्यवसायः सदनेकान्तात्मकेषु तत्त्वेषु । संशयविपर्ययानध्यवसायविविक्रमात्मरूपं तत् ॥ ३५॥
35. Effort should be made to understand the existing many-natured principles. Such knowledge free from doubt,
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