Right knowledge (samyag-jnana) and right perception (samyag-darshana) in Niyamasara aren’t just abstract labels but living experiences that strip away illusion like a clear windowpane. Samyag-darshana emerges first—an innate, unwavering faith in the soul’s spotless nature. It’s the moment when the layers of doubt and attachment start to peel away, revealing the inner reality of life beyond shifting worldly scenes. Imagine standing in a crowded city square, yet feeling perfectly centered, aware of the timeless self that underlies every heartbeat.

Once that steady vision takes root, samyag-jnana follows. Here, knowledge isn’t a pile of data but an unobstructed, all-knowing clarity that sees things exactly as they are—no sugar-coating, no blind spots. Like a high-resolution camera that captures every detail, right knowledge discerns the subtle workings of karma, the causes of pleasure and pain, and the path leading to liberation.

Niyamasara lays out a few key features:

1. Non-conflict with inner conviction
   – Both right perception and knowledge must resonate deeply, not clash with one’s intuitive sense of truth.
2. Freedom from doubt and duality
   – No “maybe” or “but”—seeing and knowing in a single, harmonious sweep.
3. Progressive purity
   – As karmic veil thins, insight sharpens. Just as meditation apps soared in popularity during recent lockdowns, so too can focused practice sharpen both darshana and jnana.
4. Direct experience over hearsay
   – Merely parroting scriptures won’t cut it; authentic transformation comes when the intellect and heart align.

In today’s world, where deepfakes and misinformation run rampant, the Jain ideal of matching perception with infallible knowledge feels especially timely. It’s like having both a moral compass and a high-precision GPS locked onto the destination of liberation. By nurturing that inner trust and piercing clarity, every moment becomes a stepping-stone out of confusion and toward lasting freedom.