Book Title: Samkit Faith Practice Liberation
Author(s): Amit B Bhansali
Publisher: Amit B Bhansali

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Page 275
________________ hatred, deceitful and fraudulent behaviour, desire for fame, exhibitionism, bombast, etc. Hence, the foundation of samyaktva is crucial to save oneself from the abovementioned flaws. The Nandi Suutra describes samyaktva as foundation of the Mount Meru of the Jain community: “Sammadansana var vaira dadharuudhagaadhaavagaadhapedhassa. Dhammavararayana mandiyachaamiiyar mehalaagassa" Nandi Suutra, verse 1.12, (Page 9, Author: Lilambai Mahasatiji, Publisher: Gurupraana Foundation, Rajkot (Gujarat), year 1999) (Sangha - the four-limbed Jain community made up of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen is compared to Mount Meru). Samyaktva is the strong, sturdy and firm foundation of the bejewelled Mount Meru of the sangha. The mountain ranges of knowledge and conduct are built upon this strong unshakeable foundation. The above verse emphatically declares that samyaktva is the foundation of the palace of spiritual seeking Samyaktva is the sinha-dvaara (chief gate} of spiritual upliftment Samyaktva exists in the form of an extremely fleeting hazy perception in the second and third gunsthaanakas. But it is transient and does not stay. In the second and third gunsthaanakas, samyaktva is extremely fleeting. But samyaktva stays for a longer period of time in the fourth gunsthaanaka. If the seeker manages to remain in the fourth gunsthaanaka for an extended period of time, and remains focused on spiritual uplift, he can progress right up to the penultimate thirteenth gunsthaanaka. Just as a student who has cleared his matriculation Examination (O levels) can study further and achieve a Masters degree and Doctorate, the seeker who has attained samyaktva can keep progressing further and attain the ultimate fourteenth gunsthaanaka and achieve liberation. This is why samyaktva has been called the simha-dvaara {chief gate of spiritual upliftment. The advanced gunsthaanakas of spiritual development are open only to those who have samyaktva. Samyaktva is the nourishment for those who seek completion of the soul's journey The soul reaches its perfected state in the fourteenth gunsthaanaka. Hence, the fourteenth gunsthaanaka is the final destination on the journey of spiritual perfection. This journey begins at the fourth gunsthaanaka. And samyaktva provides the nourishment required for this journey. Samyaktva gives true guidance to the seeker. It helps the soul distinguish between self and non-self. Just as the traveller needs to carry food during his journey, samyaktva provides the seeker with the spiritual nourishment he needs in order to progress to the higher gunsthaanakas. 272

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