________________
Samayasara
Chapter - 3
clarifies the position by a simple analogy. It is common knowledge that iron is a base metal and it is mostly used in producing cooking vessels such as pots, pans, saucepans and the like. Nobody, in his right mind, would ever think of making ear-rings, necklace and such other ornaments from the base metal. Gold, on the other hand, is a precious metal and fit to be used for making ornaments. At the same time gold will not be used for making cooking vessels and the like. Thus the distinction between the two substances is the cause of distinction of their usage.
Knowledge is an inherent faculty of consciousness. It is perverted from all eternity and like base metal lies heavily on the soul, blocking all paths leading to truth. It's potency is reduced and made ineffective, in course of time, due to the influence of the instructions of persons who know the truth. Enlightenment is concomitant with right knowledge which is a kind of purified state of consciousness that enables the soul to realize and comprehend the truth about the nature of causal relations between the soul and psychic states on one hand and between the psychic states and bondage of karma on the other.
Applying the analogy to philosophy we find that perverted knowledge is equivalent to the base metal while the right knowledge is equivalent to the precious metal. Just as the base metal is fit to be used only for making inferior utensils and the like but unfit for making ornaments for personal adornments, the perverted knowledge is fit to produce passions and emotions (such as cruelty, lust etc) and such other psychic states which are known as psychological distortions, which ultimately result in influx of karmic matter and continuation of bondage and worldly existence. Thus it is proper to designate one with perverted knowledge as stupid (ajñāni). On the other hand just as the precious metal is fit to be used for making ornaments for personal adornment and beautification, right knowledge, itself being a purified state of consciousness, is fit to produce psychic states such as forbearance, humility, compassion etc. There being no cause of influx of karmic matter, there is no bondage.
Four Primary Causes of Bondage.
अण्णाणस्स दु उदओ जा जीवाणं अतच्चउवलद्धी ।
Jain Education International
-:109:
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
