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Owing to samyaktva, a soul does not bind new karmas. Also, the soul sheds old karmas. It has been said in the Atthapaahuda that,
“Sankhijjamasankhijjagunam cha samsaarimerumattaanam. Sammattamanucharantaa karenti dukkhakkhayam dhiiraa”
Chaaritra pahuda, Atthapaahuda, Verse 19 (Page 68, Aachaarya Kundkunda Publisher: Laadmal Jain Shantiveer Digambar Jain Mandir, Mahaveerji, (Rajasthan) year V.S. 2494)
Those calm and patient people who walk on the path of samyaktva shed numerable karmas. Those calm and patient people who walk on the path of samyaktva as well as follow the conduct taught by the Jinaas shed innumerable karmas. Subsequently, they annihilate sorrow. If numerable shedding of karmas may be compared to a grain of mustard, innumerable shedding of karmas may be compared to the Mount Meru.
Jainism says that in its ignorance, or out of delusion, the soul may make the mightiest blunders. But the effulgence of samyaktva is enough to destroy the darkness of nescience. Samyaktva helps the soul attain confidence in itself. Feelings of regret and inferiority vanish. It purifies the soul through heartfelt repentance and atonement. It is this samyaktva that reassures the soul that, “O soul, do not dwell upon your past mistakes, do not cry over them and do not remain anchored to them. It is futile do so. Accept your shortcomings. Atone for them. Attain your own true nature and immerse yourself in it.” – Samyagdharshana; (Page 136, Author: Ashokmuni, Publisher: Diwaakarjyoti Karyaalaya, Byaawar (Rajasthan), year 1981)
To attain samyaktva, it is essential to have firm conviction in the true devas (Arihantas and Siddhaas), the true preceptor and true religion. But they are the instrumental causes. The substantial cause of the attainment of samyaktva is 'aatma darshana' {self-perception/self realisation. When a person thinks of all living beings as being like himself, he is living the ideal of 'Appasamme mannijja chhappakkaaya' {all six types of living beings are like myself and 'Aatmavat sarvabhuuteshu' (all entities are like my own soul). In this situation, he feels that the happiness and sorrow of all living beings is like his own happiness and sorrow. This is what is known as 'aatma darshana' or 'aatma drishti' {self-perception. A soul, which has accomplished this, is awakened to the sorrows of others. He does not hurt or harm others in any way. In fact, the desire or tendency to hurt or harm others is extinguished in him. He realises that,
“Tumansi naama tam cheva jam hantavvam ti mannasi"
You are the same as the one you wish to kill.
The above words are inscribed in the heart of the samyakdrishti. A person who has accomplished this stage has no enemies and no others' (Everyone is ‘his'. There are no strangers and no enemies).
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