S.M. Jain
॥ न सक्यकत्वं समं किञ्चित्, त्रैकाल्य्, त्रिजगत्ययपि
श्रेयोऽ श्रेयश्च, मिथ्यात्व-समनान्यन्तनूभृताम् ॥34॥
[ Ratnakarand Shravakachar by Samantbhadracharya ]
[Rationality is most important and there is nothing more beneficial than rationality in belief and thought, knowledge and conduct. Its opposite Mithyatva i.e. Irrationality is most harmful]
Rationality (Samyaktva) is key word in Jainsism, It precedes and is prerequisite in all actions and interactions, beliefs, thoughts and conduct of both laity (householders) and ascetics (saints). It opposes all sorts of superstitious beliefs, thoughts and activity. Even worship or any other activity done without first inculcating rational attitude, is considered useless in Jainism. Samyaktva or Rationality implies determination to follow right and rational path in all spheres of activity.
Rational person (Samyaktvi) pays obeisance only to enlightened and liberated ones, arhats and siddhas who are completely un-attached (Veetrag) who never claimed to bestow any sort of worldly favours but have only taught the rational, right path they themselves have followed. He follows teachings of true saints only who do not perform any sort of miracles but only show the right path by following it himself. He follows scriptures based on the preachings of Arhats and true saints.
श्रद्धानें परमार्थाना-माप्तागमतपोभृताम।
त्रिमूढ़ा पोढ मष्टांग, सम्यग्दर्शन-मस्म्यम्॥4॥
[ Ratnakarand Shravkachar by Samantbhadracharya ]
Umaswami (Umaswati) in his treatise, "Moksha Shastra (Tatvarth Sutra)" defines rational person as one who believes in the state of affairs as they are without any bias and is objective rather than subjective. He has to be free from follies of falling prey to the worldly allurements of pseudo Gods, Goddesses, Saints and Scriptures. He practises detachment from sensuous worldly pleasures, tries to moderate, minimise his strong feelings of anger, pride (ego), hypocrisy and greed. He is kind and compassionate to all life forms, serves them with best of his ability to mitigate their sufferings. He is resolute to climb up the ladder to achieve complete salvation as early as possible by taking up vows more and more stringently as prescribed in the code of conduct at various stages of forward march.
