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Marganusari Guna
(35 virtues that guide us on the path of life)
Certain principals, codes of conduct and rules are absolutely essential for social life and co-existence. A society can never be strong and stable if it is divided by disorder, anarchy, and distortions. If the society is not strong and disciplined, the nation also becomes weak. The thirty-five virtues of the Marganusari life illustrate the Jain system of life, which is characterized by imagination and wisdom. Those virtues constitute the foundation of an individual’s righteousness.
Life can become disciplined, orderly and progressive in proportion to the extent to which this foundation is strong and sound. Even for the development of our human nature, these rules are essential. Those who want to travel on the highway of Dharma must first walk on this path. Dharma gets caught only in words if these principals are broken or ignored. It will not react with life.
PERSONAL VIRTUES (CHARACTER):
1. Nyayoparajit dhan: Money should be earned by honest, legal and morally right methods.
4. Shatruta tyag: One should not have enmity, hatred or spite against any one.
5. Indriya jay: Exercising control over one’s sense organs.
8.Pap bhay: Making an attempt to get free from sins. Having a fear of sin.
9. Desachar palan: Comforming to the proper convention and customs of the society and the nation.
17. Uchit ahar: Taking food according to the health of the body and its condition.
19. Nindit karya tyag: Renouncing all actions that are objectionable in the eyes of society and dharma.
21. Dirga darshita: Placing a step after thinking of the consequences of one’s action.
22. Dharma-shravan: Hearing only such things as will purify and perfect one’s life.
23. Daya: Showing kindness to creatures in distress.
24. Buddhi: Observing the eight rules that make the intellect well developed , incise and subtle.
25. Guna pakshapat: Having high respect for virtues; and trying to get free from faults.
26. Duragrah tyag: Thinking thus, “mine is not the truth; but that which is truth is mine”.
27 Jnanarjan: One must attempt every day to acquire new knowledge.
29. Trivarg sadhana: Trying to achieve the objectives of dharma (righteousness) arth (money) and kama (desire)
30. Deshkal gnan: Thinking of time, chance and the future.
31. Balabal vichar: Estimating one’s ability before plunging into action.
35. Saumyata: Being always cheerful and being soft and sweet tempered.
SECONDARY VIRTUES (DAY TO DAY LIVING):
2. Uchit vivah: One should marry a girl (or a boy) of his/her own cultural and religious background.
3. Shishta prasamsa: Giving respect to the cultured and noble people.
6. Anishta sthan tyag: Giving up a place where the health of the body and the mind is marred.
7. Uchit grih: Limiting the desires relating to home and being cautious in adhering to the norms of culture and dharma.
11. Uchit vyay: Spending money within one’s income.
12. Uchit vyavahar: Acting according to the time and situation.
16.Ajirna bhojan tyag: Not taking more food when one has not digested the food taken; and fasting at such time.
NOBLE/NOBILITY/RELATIONS WITH OTHER SOULS:
10.Lokpriata: Winning a place in the heart of everyone and captivating everyone’s mind.
13. Mata pita pujan: One should take care of one’s parents and give them absolute protection and render service to them.
14. Satsang: Maintaining relations with people who are cultured and noble.
15.Kritagnata: One should not have enmity and spite for benefactors at any time (be grateful to them).
18. Gnani puja: Having devotion for and worshipping scholars; and men of knowledge.
20. Bharan poshan: Endeavoring to support and maintain the members of one’s family and those who seek our aid and refuge.
28. Seva bhakti: Rendering service to great men and benefactors.
32. Lok yatra: Cooperating in activities that bring about the welfare and development of society.
33. Paropkar pravinta: Being benevolent to the helpless and the destitute.
34. Lajja: Giving respect to elders, spiritual superiors, disciplined people and the virtuous.
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