Tattvartha Sutra

Author(s): Umaswati, Umaswami, Manu Doshi
Publisher: Shrutratnakar Ahmedabad

Page 29

KNOWLEDGE
that. It becomes incumbent upon him to go ahead and develop the capability that lies within. What is needed is to have the discernment to make out what is right and what is wrong. The vigor for putting the understanding into practice is bound to follow. The right discernment is thus the basic requirement.
तत्त्वार्थश्रद्धानं सम्यग्दर्शनम् ॥१-२॥
1.2: Tattvärthashraddhänam Samyagdarshanam.
15
(The faith in essential truths is the right perception.)
This sutra defines the right perception as the faith resulting from conviction about the fundamental truths. Notice that the sutra does not refer to the blind faith. It conveys the faith in truth.
तन्निसर्गादधिगमाद्वा ॥१-३॥
1.3: Tannisargädadhigamädvä
(The right perception arises naturally or by acquisition.)
This sutra says how the right perception arises. That perception is not to be gained from outside sources; it is inherent within the soul and can arise by getting rid of the wrong approach. Every one needs to endeavor for that. Undertaking of the endeavor for that purpose is Purushärtha.
Some beings have made that endeavor in earlier lives. As such, they are imbibed with right discernment by birth. That is termed as natural rise of right perception; those beings are therefore not required to make effort for that purpose in the present life. But there are very few persons, who come in that category. For instance, Tirthankars are born with right perception; that capability is brought forth from their previous