Acharya Tulsi
 | Chapter 7 | The Relevance Of The Jaina Religion To Modern Problems |
hagavan Mahavira was not a philosophical thinker, but he had attained the state of kaivalya and had realized the Truth. Philosophical thinker does not command a spiritual vision. He formulates his views only with the help of sruta (verbal knowledge) and thinking.
Bhagavan Mahavira had himself realized the Truth and then he said,
"One who does not see does not look within - does not see oneself, cannot realize the self. His knowledge depends on others. It is attained either on the basis of srutajnana (verbal knowledge), or through matijnana (determinate knowledge derived through the sense-organs and the mind). It is not in the form of innate knowledge. A man who has no direct knowledge of the self cannot practise religious conduct. His behaviour cannot be free from attachment, aversion, and delusion. There can be no emancipation (moksa) except through religious conduct. Moksa can be achieved only after attachments and aversions have been eradicated. One who has not achieved emancipation cannot attain nirvana (liberation)."
The first step in the journey to nirvana is spiritual vision or self-knowledge. Bhagavan Mahavira said,
"See the truth. Do not depend only on what I say, but develop your own spiritual vision."
