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above mentioned forms of vanity. Therein lies the well being of a living being. All wise men say, "Humble origin is no bar to the attainment of greatness, while pride of birth is a frequent cause of humiliation."
To take false pride in one's mental accomplishments is knowledge pride (Gyan Mada). In the 'Mahapurana' of Acharya Jinsain at one place it is mentioned - "To take pride in knowledge is putting a veil on the knowledge." Bharatra Hari writes:
Yada kinchijhoham, dwip iv madandh sambhavam Tada sarvagyosmitybhvdvliptam mam mana
yada kinchit, budhjanskashadvgtam tada murkhosmiti, jvar iv mado me vyapgata
I.e., When I possessed shallow knowledge, I walked puffed up with egotism like an elephant. When I came out of my home and by and by came in contact with the scholars and learned men and started acquiring more and more knowledge in their company, I began to walk like an ant. Then my pride in knowledge subsided like a fever. One who attains the real knowledge never becomes proud or vain. He walks with a bowed head and is polite to all.
It has been said: vidya vineyam ddati
I.e., knowledge brings humility. When a tree is overloaded with fruits, its branches bend down. Likewise a learned man bows down with humility on the acquisition of knowledge; he becomes devoid of vanity. In this context the poet Pump writes:
Kundkundachyanandnvne shukoham'
I.e., I, poet Pump, am the parrot of Acharya Kundkund's spiritual vernal wood (Nandana Vana) 'Samay Saar', etc. Therefore, having tasted their fruits in original I convey them as they are.
Thus, the learned are polite towards the Acharyas and it is in the nature of the learned men to admire their talent and scholarship. Only such are the truly learned; they alone are gifted with the virtue of compassion (Mardava Dharma).
To take pride in one's fame and glory, worldly dignity is known as Dignity Pride (Puja Mada). Father's lineage is called ancestry and Mother's lineage is called tribe. To take pride in these comes under the category 'Ancestral Pride' and 'Tribe Pride'. The bodily powers are called strength. Hence to take pride in them is 'Strength Pride'. The monetary achievements or the possession of household riches is known as affluence and pride in it is called 'Affluence Pride'. Fasting is called penance and pride in it is known as *Penance Pride'. Taking pride in healthy and beautiful body is 'body pride'. One who is aspirant for the virtue of compassion (Mardava Dharma) will have to discard all the above mentioned eight types of vanity; only then one will be capable of attaining unblemished compassion.
Once Sukh Deva went to King Janak at Rajgrahi to receive education. On the completion of his education he expressed his desire to offer a present (Guru dakshina) to
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