पुरिसा : परमरखक्खू विप्परक्रमेडजा
Summary
The text discusses the concept of human effort (purushartha) and its importance in spiritual and worldly life. It contrasts theistic and atheistic philosophical views, noting that theistic philosophers believe God is the primary cause of everything, while atheistic philosophers accept other elements. Jain philosophy, as propounded by Lord Mahavira, presents an independent view that the universe is governed by five eternal elements: time, nature, destiny, human effort, and karma. Among these, Mahavira emphasized purushartha the most. The text states that a person with even limited power can reach their destination through continuous effort, while a powerful person without movement becomes stagnant. It explains that an individual uses their capabilities correctly only when free from laziness, negligence, and attachment. The text asserts that resolutions are neither small nor big in themselves; human effort makes them so. With strong effort, thousands of miles become insignificant, while in a dormant state, a person cannot even move from one room to another. Mahavira taught that the soul's own effort is the cause of karmic bondage or its destruction. The text emphasizes that individuals are responsible for their own happiness and suffering, and that they create destiny rather than being created by it. It states that Mahavira's message of vigilance is essentially a message of effort, urging people to practice spirituality while they still have health and strength, before old age, disease, and sensory decline overcome them.
Conclusion
The document’s core implication is that personal effort (purushartha) is the decisive factor in spiritual and worldly success, not fate or divine will. Outcomes depend on whether one actively cultivates this inner strength or succumbs to laziness and attachment. By emphasizing that even the weak can reach their goals through persistent action, while the powerful fail without it, the text shifts responsibility entirely onto the individual. It concludes that awakening one’s effort is essential for overcoming life’s obstacles—old age, disease, and sensory decline—and for progressing on the spiritual path. Ultimately, the message is that self-reliance and sustained discipline, not external forces, determine one’s rise or fall.