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Contradictory, conflicting, contrasting, incompatible, irreconcilable, inconsistent, antithetical, converse, clashing, contrary, at variance, at odds, different, differing, divergent, dissimilar, unlike, unalike, disagreeing, opposed, opposing, poles apart, polar, obverse, oppugnant understanding of any scripture shall lead to heightened delusion and increased distance from enlightened perception. This kind of contrary view is not easy to cure. But when a person understands the truth and develops correct faith in the understanding of the scriptures, he attains enlightened perception and progresses on the path of liberation.
When we take the meaning of the Sanskrit word 'darshana' to be faith, the adjective 'samyak' is added before it. 'Samyak vishvaasa'/'samyak darshana' (true faith) helps the seeker to attain liberation. The presence of enlightened perception helps the soul realise its eternal attributes of infinite perception, infinite knowledge, infinite bliss and infinite power. When there is a threat to life, or any serious problem that a person faces, it is this true faith and true experience of the soul that enables him to remain steadfast on the right path.
When the great ascetic Gajsukumara had to face tremendously painful and life-threatening adversities, he remained immersed in his self owing to his true faith, and unaffected by external afflictions. Thus, he bore the difficulties without losing his inner calmness and without any resentment or hatred towards the perpetrators of the atrocities. His lack of attachment and aversion under extreme duress led to his liberation.
Thus, enlightened perception or true faith does not merely take the person on the path of liberation. It also helps him remain firmly on the path despite the adversities that he has to confront. His steadfastness and equanimity in the face of extreme hardship and misfortune help him shed karmas from the soul and attain liberation that much quicker.
Jain seers relate the story of a famous ascetic to illustrate how true faith helps the seeker get rid of ignorance, nescience and doubt and helps him attain enlightened knowledge.
There was a great ascetic, a learned Aachaarya who had several disciples, many of whom were knowledgeable, wise and immersed in penance. One of his disciples was a simpleton. The Aachaarya would make great efforts to teach him the scriptures, but learning any scripture was beyond the capabilities of the simple fellow. The disciple himself was sad as he realised and regretted his own intellectual limitations. His guru once asked him, "My child, why are you so sad? You have renounced your household and family to become a Jain ascetic. It is not appropriate for one who walks in the path of the Jinaas to remain so engulfed in misery."
The glum student said, "O noble master, you are quite right. There is no reason for me to be unhappy here. I should rejoice at the opportunity to serve at your feet. But what can I do? I deeply regret my inability to learn the scriptures. I am sad because I do not understand the scriptures and despite many attempts, cannot comprehend them. Please bless me so that I too may attain some knowledge."
