Page 189 - Faith Personified

Q. But why is maintaining Samyaktva so important?

Ans. Because Samyaktva determines the true worth of a
person. External wealth, huge kingdoms, celestial airplanes,
beautiful celestial goddesses, fame and honour does not
determine your soul’s worth. Neither does a beautiful and
intelligent body determine its worth, because it is incapable

of providing mental peace and relief during diseases, accidents
or even death. It is only Samyaktva combined with non-
attachment that is the shelter and saviour. Without it, be it
huge donations or strict penance, celibacy or a strict code of
conduct – nothing is capable of providing peace and relief
during illness or adversities. Thus, even the religious activities
exercised in the absence of Samyaktva are worthless.

Being well aware of all this, Sulsa was 100% cautious to

safeguard her soul’s Samyaktva. Hence, let alone worshipping,
she did not even indulge in the sight of non-Jain sages and
their festivals. Thus, Sulsa turned her sight from the sage to
another direction.

Ambad in a Jain Saint’s attire

Now, to test Sulsa, Ambad put on the attire of a Jain saint
and hence Sulsa readily greeted him. But as soon as he made
inappropriate demands, Sulsa identified him as a fake or

corrupt sage and immediately returned without giving alms.
She accused him, “Are you a saint or a cheat? Can you make
such a demand? You shouldn’t even have such a desire, leave
alone demand. Why are you defaming Lord Mahavira’s pure

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