Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 3

Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 49

SAMATYA YOGA : THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHING OF LORD MAHAVIRA AND
LORD KRISHNA Dr. SAGARMAL JAIN
Ours is the age of tremendous growth of knowledge and scientific discoveries. Paradoxically, at the same time, we can call it also the age of anxiety and mental tension. Our traditional values and beliefs have been eroded by this growth of scientific knowledge. We know more about the atom than about the values needed for a meaningful and peaceful life. We are living in a state of chaos. Our life is full of excitement, emotional disorder and value-conflicts. In this age of anxiety only American people are spending more than 10 billion dollars a year on wine and other alcoholic drugs. Today, what is needed for man is mental peace and the capacity for complete integration with his own personality and with his social environment. This can only be achieved through the practice of samat va, i.e. mental equanimity or calmness of temper. The theory of samat va yoga has been preached in India more than two thousand years ago by Lord Mahavir and Lord Krishna.
Concept of Samatva in General
The concept of samat va is a key concept of Jainism and Gita. It is a pivot around which the ethics of Jainism and Gită moves In English, we can call it an axcellant blend of equality, equilibrium, harmony, integration and rightness. But none of these terns can convey fully the full meaning of the word samat va and the exact sense in which it is used in the context of Indian philosphy. And so it will be better to use it without translating it into English. The word samat va has differ - ent meanings in different contexts. Sometimes it means a balanced state of mind which is undisturbed by all kinds of sorrows and emotional excitements, pleasures and pains and achievements and disappointments. Sometimes it refers to the quality of a personality which is completely free from the vectors of a version and attachment, or a personality with mental equilibrium ( alattal or faggat ). The word samatva also means the feeling of equality with the fellowbeings (3716792 Fanag). Loosly speeking, it also conveys the meaning of social equality and social integration. Ethically, the term sam or samyake means rightness ( haa). Though we must be aware of the fact that in all its differeat meanings the term samatva is associated with some kind or the other of mentujol