Tattvartha Sutra

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

Page 32

18
TATTVÄRTHA SUTRA
while removal of the accumulated garbage is analogous to Nirjarä.
Moksha: The existing bondage of Karma is eradicated by undertaking Nirjarä and the inflow of new Karma particles is prevented by resorting to Samvar. Thereby one can attain the Karmaless state, the state where the soul is completely free from all the lifeless particles. That itself is termed as Moksha (liberation).
It would be noticed that this sutra does not specify Punya (wholesome activity) and Päp (unwholesome activity) as vital aspects and enumerates seven Tattvas (fundamentals) in all. That is the Digambar tradition, which considers Punya and Päp as implicit in Asrav. As such, they specify seven Tattvas instead of nine as per Shwetambar tradition. But whether Punya and Päp are separately mentioned or not, they are to be reckoned with. Specifying them as seven or nine does not therefore make real difference.
नामस्थापनाद्रव्यभावतस्तत्र्यासः ॥१-५॥ 1.5: Nämsthäpanädravyabhävatastannyäsah
(Truth can be arrived at by examining the material in four forms of name, symbol, past or future state and the present reality.)
Whatever is said needs to be comprehended in right perspective. There are different ways a thing can be presented. This sutra specifies four ways, which are known as Niksheps. They can be better explained with the illustration of an earthen pot. The first way relates to the name by which a thing is known. For instance, someone says 'a pot. By hearing it, we