________________
TATTVÄRTHA SUTRA
lasting objective of Moksha (attainment of liberation). As the trio of Samyagdarshan (right perception), Samyagjnän (right knowledge) .and Samyakchäritra (right conduct) constitutes the path of liberation, the endeavor to reach those states is the true Purushärtha.
12
When we are born, we hardly know anything about ourselves or about the world around us. As we come in contact with the different situations and the different people, we are fascinated to know about them and the process of learning starts. That is the beginning of Purushärtha. During the young age there is a high degree of zeal and vigor associated with that process. The vigor runs in high gear and it continually prompts us to go ahead. Whether it is in the realm of education or sports, building up the career or falling in love, we aspire to reach the new heights. But our endeavor generally remains restricted to physical achievements. In other words, we remain busy pursuing Käm. There is hardly an insight to dwell within.
The diligence and zeal, with which we pursue our objective, reach the zenith during the middle twenties, when we normally select the spouse and/or embark upon a career. Thereafter the motivating spirit starts going down. That may not be immediately noticeable, but the descending trend normally becomes evident by the time we turn forty and later on we almost cease to have the enterprising spirit. The Purushärtha thus virtually comes to an end. The interest in reaching new heights disappears and we start feeling happy and satisfied with what we have and what we have been doing. Our endeavor rests limited to retaining what we have achieved. Our liveliness is almost gone and we happen to lose interest in achieving anything new.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
