“Words may be few, but their meanings are infinite.”
This is the law of the universe. The visual may be short, but the joy it brings is eternal and boundless. That is the essence of this episode from Gagar Ma Sagar – Episode 28, where the focus is on Sāmāyik.
Understanding “Sāmāyik” – A Word Beyond Its Label
Before diving into the true meaning of Sāmāyik, I ask you to let go of any limited notions you may hold about the term. Often, people associate it only with a brief ritual done during Pratikraman, or a 48-minute meditative sitting. But Sāmāyik is far deeper and far more vast than that. It is a profound state, not just a religious practice bound by time.
Let me explain this with a personal story. As a child, I once visited a sacred place with a Digambar Jain temple, where a guide told us the place was called Siddha Kshetra. From that moment, I assumed this physical place itself was Siddha Kshetra as described in scriptures. But later, through studying the Agamas, I realized that true Siddha Kshetra is not on Earth — it is a spiritual realm beyond physical existence.
Similarly, the real Sāmāyik is not just what you think it is — the simple 48-minute ritual. There is a vast difference between the Sāmāyik of the scriptures and what we often practice or perceive.
The Real Meaning of Sāmāyik
The soul resides in the body, and over time, we get so attached to the body that we start to believe we are the body. The world revolves around bodily needs, relationships, and ego. But the purpose of Jainism — and of Sāmāyik — is to help us detach from the body and anchor ourselves in the soul.
- Sāmāyik means to dwell in equanimity.
- “Sam” = equal / balanced
- “Āyik” = to become or to dwell
When we stop seeing highs and lows — pain and pleasure, praise and insult, rich and poor — and instead see everything as equal, we attain a state of equanimity, or Sāmāyik. We begin to experience the soul’s inherent nature of peace and balance.
A Powerful Story of Sāmāyik in Practice
A poor husband and wife were once on their way to take vows of renunciation. While walking through a forest, the husband noticed a gold ornament on the path and quickly covered it with dirt to avoid tempting his wife. She, however, smiled and said, “You still see a difference between gold and soil — I see none. Both appear the same to me.”
This is the essence of Sāmāyik — to see no difference, to remain undisturbed, to dwell in sameness and soul-awareness regardless of circumstance.
The Four Types of Sāmāyik
- Shrut Sāmāyik (Sāmāyik of Listening):
When one listens to true knowledge (shrut gnan), the mind stabilizes. Just listening to spiritual discourse can lead to inner stillness — this is shrut sāmāyik. - Samyak Sāmāyik (Perfect Vision):
This is the ability to clearly distinguish between soul and body, good and evil, truth and illusion. This pure insight is a permanent sāmāyik of the right vision. - Charitra Sāmāyik (Conduct-Based Sāmāyik):
This exists in two forms:- Desh-Virati (Partial Renunciation): For householders who still interact with the world but aim to restrain harm, desires, and attachments.
- Sarva-Virati (Total Renunciation): For monks and nuns who live a life of complete detachment, practicing equanimity in every situation.
- Shiksha Vrat Sāmāyik (Disciplinary Practice):
The 48-minute Sāmāyik many people perform daily is a Shiksha Vrat — a spiritual training that disciplines the soul to return to stillness amidst worldly chaos.
Conclusion
So what truly is Sāmāyik?
It is not just a time-bound ritual or a sitting practice. Sāmāyik is the practice of returning to your true self — the soul.
It is letting go of the physical body, its attachments, and dualities, and stabilizing yourself in equanimity, balance, and soul-awareness.
Whether through learning, perfect vision, disciplined action, or full renunciation — Sāmāyik is the gateway to liberation.
The practice begins when the soul starts dwelling in its own nature — calm, steady, undisturbed, and free.