Tirthankar Mahavir and His Sarvodaya Tirth

Author(s): Hukamchand Bharilla, K C Lalwani
Publisher: Kundkund Kahan Digambar Jain Trust

Page 77

SARVODAYA TIRTHA
73
of the fundamentals like the soul, etc, without any reversal is right faith 20
The above definition apart, to elucidate the term 'right faith', we have also other definitions in the Jaina texts:
1 Respect for right gods, texts and spiritual master is
right faith.21
2 The science of differentiation between self and others is
right faith 22
3 Understanding the self is right faith 23
Though, at first sight, the above definitions seem to be separate, yet with a deeper understanding it will be found that they harp on the same chord. Their different expression in different places is partly due to the context they refer to and partly due to the difference in methodology or vocabulary The great writer Todarmal has considered these at length, and while recognising their utility, he has given with proper logic a synthesis between them 24
For the attainment of right faith, it is incumbent to have the proper correct knowledge and understanding of the seven or nine fundamentals and of the nature of the gods, canonical texts and the spiritual master At the same time, it is very essential to have mastery over the science of differentiation between self and others In highlighting the characteristic of right faith, one or other of these has been over-emphasized at the cost of the rest Although one characteristic has been over emphasized at a time, since all the characteristics are
20 jīvājīvādinam tattvārthānām sadaiva kartavyam śraddhānam viparitabhiniveśa viviktamātmarupam tat
-Purusārthasiddhyupāya, Sloka, 22 21 śraddhānam paramārthanamāptāgamatapobhitam trimudhāpodhamaştānga samyagdarśanamasmayam
---Ratnakaranda Sravakācāra, Sloka, 4. 22 Mok samārga Prakasaka, p 325. 23 Purusārthasıddh yupāya, Sloka, 216; Astapāhuda (Darśanapahuda), Gatha, 20. 24 Mokşamārga Prakāšaka, p 325-32