________________
Of these four accomplishments, darshana aaraadhanaa is the first. On the path of liberation, all four accomplishments are equally important. But darshana aaraadhanaa has been accorded primacy because without samyaktva, the accomplishments of knowledge, conduct and penance cannot lead to liberation. In fact, in the absence of samyaktva, mere knowledge, conduct and penance could lead to further transmigration. In contrast, in the presence of samyaktva, knowledge, conduct and penance lead to liberation. This is why, the accomplishment of samyak darshana has been given primary importance.
Samyaktva purifies and adds lustre to knowledge, conduct and penance.
In truth, the accomplishment of samyak darshana is the key to enhancing, purifying knowledge, conduct and penance. The latter three accomplishments become accomplishments only when accompanied by samyaktva.
This is confirmed by the Bhagavati Aradhana,
"Nagarassa jaha duvaaram muhassa chakkhu tarussa jaha muulam Taha jaana susammattam naana-charana-tavaanam" ~ Bhagavati Aradhana, Verse 3.735 (Page 465, Author: Aachaarya Shivaarth, Publisher: Jain Sanskrutti Sanrakshak Sangh, Sohlapur (Maharashtra), year 1978)
Know that samyaktva is as crucial for knowledge, conduct and penance as a gate is for a city, as eyes are for the face and as roots are for a tree.
One cannot defeat the enemy of karma without the eyes of samyaktva
How could a vision challenged person defeat the armies of his enemies? Similarly, how could one defeat the armies of karmas, delusion, artifice and false belief without having the vision granted by samyaktva? One can only win if one sees correctly, i.e. has samyak darshana.
Where the enemy is not recognised as being the enemy, nor is he seen as being the enemy, how can he be defeated? Hence, the eyes of samyaktva are necessary to win over the enemy of karmas. Just as samyaktva is primary among the ratnatraya {the three jewels - samyak darshana, samyak gyaana and samyak chaaritra), it is also primary in dharma {faith/all activities which lead to liberation}, saadhanaa {diligent practise and aaraadhanaa accomplishment). Samyaktva is as important to dharma as roots are to a tree. Just as a tree is dependent on its roots, all activities of dharma, saadhanaa and aaraadhanaa depend on samyaktva. Let us examine this in more detail. If the root of a tree is bitter, its fruit shall also be bitter. If one wants sweet and tasty fruits, one will have to improve the roots. Samyaktva is the root of the tree that is dharma. If samyaktva is the root, the tree prospers and becomes strong and gives sweet fruits. Samyaktva lies at the root of all religions.
264
