ऋजुता से क्या मिलेगा?
Summary
The text discusses the concept of ṛjutā (straightforwardness or simplicity) in the context of spiritual practice, particularly within Jain philosophy. It begins by explaining that ṛjutā (ārdrava) leads to physical straightforwardness (kāya-ṛjutā), mental straightforwardness (bhāva-ṛjutā), verbal straightforwardness (bhāṣā-ṛjutā), and non-deceptiveness (avisaṃvādana). Through non-deceptiveness, a being becomes a true follower of dharma. The text emphasizes that conquering the passion of deceit (māyā) is linked to ṛjutā, just as conquering anger is linked to peace, pride to gentleness, and greed to non-attachment. It states that only a person with ṛjutā can properly practice truth. Deceit is compared to clouds covering the sun, making truth dull. A verse from Ācārya Somaprabhasūri’s *Sūkti Muktāvalī* is cited, comparing a deceitful person to a cat drinking milk, heedless of a stick, to illustrate how a deceitful person ignores the consequences of their actions. The text argues that a true saint (santa) is calm and simple, not agitated by passions. While a child’s simplicity is due to ignorance, a person who understands deceit but chooses simplicity is praiseworthy. Honesty can only exist with simplicity. An anecdote illustrates deceit in daily life: a student says his father, a shopkeeper, would give only 9.5 kg of wheat for 10 rupees due to cheating. The text explains that practicing ṛjutā leads to physical straightforwardness, avoiding deceptive body language; mental straightforwardness, maintaining purity of thought; and verbal straightforwardness, avoiding deceitful speech. A story about a marriage where a father describes his one-eyed son as seeing everyone with one vision and a father describes his one-legged daughter as working on one foot highlights verbal
Conclusion
The document emphasizes that cultivating *ṛjutā* (straightforwardness) leads to the attainment of *avisamvādana* (non-deceptiveness), which is essential for a person to become a true practitioner of dharma. The text argues that *ṛjutā* is the key to conquering *māyā* (deceit), a major obstacle on the spiritual path. By practicing *ṛjutā* in thought, word, and deed, one achieves harmony between speech and action, fostering trust and integrity. The outcome is a life of honesty and spiritual purity, where even a modest income earned with integrity is valued more than vast wealth gained through dishonesty. Ultimately, the document concludes that *ṛjutā* is a fundamental quality for both monks and householders, leading to a blessed and spiritually fulfilling life.