Scriptural Study
Among the twelve internal and external austerities, there is none that equals or will be equal to the study of scriptures.
Benefits of Scriptural Study
Svadhyaya enables one to acquire knowledge of the self, subjugation of evil thoughts, inclination for renunciation, strength of conduct, austerity, supreme disposition and benevolence.
Basis of Faith
Humility is the foundationof Jaina faith. The practice of self-restraint and austerity should make one humble and modest. To a person who is not humble, righteousness and austerity are of no avail.
Obedient
Disciples who are obedient, who are well-versed in religion and who are humble traverse the difficult ocean of birth and death and attain emancipation.
Humility
Humility is itself austerity and being an internal austerity, it is great Dharma.
Modest
He who is modest gains knowledge and he who is arrogant fails to gain it. Only he who knows these two axioms can be educated and enlightened.
Learning and Humility
Learning tempered with humility is beneficial in this world and the next just as a plant cannot grow without water, learning will not be fruitful without humility.
Fleeting Mind
The irresolute and fleeting mind which is difficult to be controlled become steadfast and tranquil by mediation.
Scriptural Study
By scriptural study, one acquires knowledge, has concentration of mind, is fixed in religion and helps others to be so fixed. Thus he gets absorbed in contemplation of Sutras.
Five Obstacles
Pride, anger, carelessness, illness and idleness—these are the five obstacles in the path of acquiring knowledge.
Thorny Creepers
Just as no one seeks shelter under a tree surrounded by thorny creepers although laden with sweet fruits, so also none prefers the company of a scholar who abuses others.
Unfit for Instruction
Four types of people are not worthy of acquiring scriptural knowledge—the vain, the greedy, the quarrelsome and the deceitful.
Acharyas
Just as a lamp lights hundreds of other lamps and yet remains lighted so are the Acharyas who enlighten others and remain enlightened themselves.
Discretion
An aspirant, who is vigilant while standing, vigilant while sitting, vigilant while sleeping, vigilant while eating and vigilant while talking is not bound by evil Karmas.
Uncontaminated
If an aspirant is vigilant in all his activities, geremains uncontaminated like the lotus in water.
Qualities of Speaker
A wise ascetic should speak exactly what he has seen; his speech should be brief, free from ambiguity and clearly expressed. His speech should neither be deceptive nor cause anxiety to anyone.
Restraint in Speech
A wise person neither speaks without being asked nor should he interrupt when another person is speaking. He should not indulge in back-biting others and should avoid deceitful untruth.
Guidance of the Intellect
One should speak after ripe reflection. Just as a blindman needs the help of a guide to show him the path, speech also requires the guidance of the intellect.
Purpose of Speech
The purpose of speech is to import the truth. That speech is fruitless which does not throw light on the truth.
Proper Speech
That speech is proper which is benefical, moderate, measured and affable.
Insturction
An indolent person can never be happy, a lethargic can never acquire knowledge, a person with attachment can never acquire renunciation and one who has a violent attitude cannot be compassionate.
Opportunity not Again and Again
It is not possible to get enlightenment again and again.
Vigilant
Oh men ! always be vigilant. He who is vigilant gains more and more knowledge. He who is invigilant is not blessed. Blessed is he who always remains vigilant.
Immediacy
Do not procratinate. What you have to do tomorrow, do it today itself, for lurking death may lay is cruel hands on you at any moment.
Fearless
A person who has firm devotion towards Jina like the steady mountain Meru, has inclination for renunciation and is free from defects of conduct, will have no fear in this world.
