Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
by Vijay K. Jain | 2018 | 130,587 words | ISBN-10: 8193272625 | ISBN-13: 9788193272626
This page describes definition of anrita (falsehood) which is verse 7.14 of the English translation of the Tattvartha Sutra which represents the essentials of Jainism and Jain dharma and deals with the basics on Karma, Cosmology, Ethics, Celestial beings and Liberation. The Tattvarthasutra is authorative among both Digambara and Shvetambara. This is verse 14 of the chapter The Five Vows and includes an extensive commentary.
Verse 7.14 - Definition of anṛta (falsehood)
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 7.14:
असदभिधानमनृतम् ॥ ७.१४ ॥
asadabhidhānamanṛtam || 7.14 ||
Speaking what is not commendable–asat–is falsehood (anṛta). (14)
Hindi Anvayarth:
अन्वयार्थ: प्रमाद के योग से [असदभिधानं] जीवों को दुःखदायक अथवा मिथ्यारूप वचन बोलना सो [अनृतम्] असत्य है।
Anvayartha: pramada ke yoga se [asadabhidhanam] jivom ko duhkhadayaka athava mithyarupa vacana bolana so [anritam] asatya hai |
Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:
Injury (hiṃsā) has been defined. What is the definition of falsehood (anṛta) mentioned next to injury (hiṃsā)?
The word ‘sat’ connotes ‘to laud’. What is not laudable is ‘asat’. Speaking what is not laudable is falsehood (anṛta). To speak about something that does not exist is falsehood (anṛta). ‘ãta’ is truth. What is not ‘ṛta’ is falsehood (anṛta). What is not laudable? That which causes pain and suffering to the living beings is not commendable. It does not matter whether it refers to the actual fact or not. It has already been said that the other vows are intended to safeguard the vow of non-injury (ahiṃsā). Therefore, it must be taken that words that lead to injury constitute falsehood (anṛta).