“Words may be few, but their meanings are infinite. That’s the nature of this universe.”
In the same way, the essence of “Gagar ma Sagar” is this: the visuals may be small, but the knowledge received is vast and eternal.
🔹 The Topic: Ignorance, Delusion, and Anekantavada
Today’s episode is divided into three parts:
- Ignorance (Agyanta)
- Delusion (Mithyatva)
- The Solution – Anekantavada
On one side, we have ignorance and delusion, which originate from blind faith. On the other, the only true solution to these is Anekantavada, a concept shown to the world solely by Jainism.
🧠 Part 1: Ignorance – A Problem of Intellectual Understanding
Ignorance is a problem of intellectual misunderstanding. It arises when our knowledge is incomplete or misunderstood.
For instance, most people don’t even know what Jainism is, or what other religions are about. In fact, many don’t even understand what’s happening in the world today. They simply accept what someone else has told them without personal experience or verification.
Take science, for example. It tells us the Earth is round and provides proof. But most of us have never verified that—we just trust it.
Similarly, the omniscient Lords (Kevalis) have stated the Earth is flat. We haven’t verified that either, but those of us who have faith in the Tirthankaras believe it.
Both sides are based on belief, not direct knowledge.
In essence, until we attain Keval Gnan (omniscience), Shrut Gnan (scriptural knowledge), or Avadhi Gnan (clairvoyance), we are all living in ignorance.
Thus, the first step in overcoming ignorance is learning – studying scriptures and acquiring true knowledge to destroy the karmic bondage of Jnanavarniya karma (knowledge-obscuring karma).
🌀 Part 2: Delusion – A Psychological and Perceptual Problem
Delusion (Mithyatva) begins with blind belief—not just lack of knowledge but incorrect or distorted understanding.
Science often considers religion blind belief, and religion views science similarly. Science knows the body, cells, and molecules. But behind all this lies a deeper power: the soul, which science does not acknowledge.
That’s why science is partial, incomplete, and sometimes opposite to spiritual truth.
Mithyatva is when your understanding is:
- Incomplete
- Excessive
- Completely opposite
This applies to people who say, “I already know everything.” Such arrogance blocks learning and leads to spiritual downfall, even to lower realms.
An important example is when people say:
“If I practice religion, things will go in my favor.”
This is delusion.
It is not the job of religion to fulfill your personal desires. Religion is not meant to do what we want; it helps us align with truth.
Lord Mahavir, even when facing suffering due to past karma, did not ask for mercy or escape. He accepted it because he knew it was the result of his own karma.
True religion is about justice and truth—not favoritism. When you pray, don’t say “God, make things go my way,” but rather, “God, do what is just and true—even if I’m at fault.”
This is right understanding. Anything less or opposite is Mithyatva.
🔄 Part 3: Anekantavada – The Jain Path to Mental Freedom
Anekant is the opposite of Ekant (one-sided belief).
Anekant means accepting multiple perspectives. It is the vision Jainism has gifted to the world:
“You may be right. I may be right. Truth may lie in multiple angles.”
While the world says every coin has two sides, Jainism says truth is like a diamond—with infinite facets. Each person sees one side, but all perspectives can have validity.
Dogmatism—“Only I am right”—leads to ego, karmic bondage, and spiritual downfall, even for learned souls and monks.
True Jain practice is about becoming Nirgranth—free of all attachments and mental knots.
To become complete, we must accept others, set aside our ego, and understand multiple viewpoints.
This is Anekantavada. This is Jain Dharma. And this is the only way to move from ignorance and delusion to perfection.
🕊️ Conclusion: The Vision of Jain Dharma
Jainism doesn’t just offer a set of rituals—it offers a complete philosophical solution to humanity’s deepest intellectual and psychological problems.
- Ignorance is not knowing.
- Delusion is wrong knowing.
- Anekantavada is the cure—understanding, accepting, and harmonizing multiple truths.
Only Jain Dharma leads us toward perfect knowledge, absolute clarity, and spiritual liberation.
Let us embrace this vision of openness, humility, and spiritual precision—the timeless wisdom of Jainism.