Vajrakavach

Author(s): Dharnendrasagar
Publisher: Jain Sahitya Prakashan Mandir

Page 31

The Yoga of Conduct
Shri Hemachandracharya praises the true conduct because it consists in the renunciation of all sinful actions. This conduct which according to Lord Mahavira leads to the salvation, takes five different forms based on non-violence, truth, non-stealing, continence and non-possession. And the true path of true conduct is the path of renunciation of the worldly life in favour of a monk's life.
Mere knowledge is not enough. A combination of knowledge with conduct is necessary for real salvation. For, knowledge enlightens you on the cause and means of salvation but for actually crossing the ocean of world, one has to lead one's life with true conduct. For, of the 14 stages of spiritual development, the first four stages rest on true belief, while the remaining ten stages, the advanced stages of spiritual development rest on true character. True belief comes in the fourth stage and true knowledge arises on reaching the 13th stage but in the absence of character, true release is not possible.
Knowledge enables us to know the nature of things, belief produces faith and character absolves us of the Karmas and penance renders the soul pure. Hence it is well said that knowledge without action is futile. It is, therefore, inevitable that we should strive for both knowledge as well as character for final release.
29