Kundakunda’s Pravachanasara lays out a crystal-clear roadmap for shedding karmic baggage and uncovering the soul’s true nature. At its core sits the triumvirate of Samyak Darshana (right perception), Samyak Jñāna (right knowledge) and Samyak Cāritra (right conduct)—the “three jewels” that guard against fresh karmic entanglements.

First comes the internal house-cleaning: nāvaraṇa-kṣaya, the removal of five mental defilements—pride, attachment, aversion, ego and illusion. Anuprekṣā, or contemplative introspection, teaches the mind to regard pleasure and pain with equal poise—very much in tune with today’s mindfulness retreats and meditation apps. Samayika prescribes fixed intervals of calm, silent reflection, a kind of spiritual digital detox that brings clarity faster than a morning cup of coffee.

Pratikramaṇa, the ritual of repentance, mirrors modern therapeutic journaling: acknowledging slips, seeking forgiveness and starting each day with a clean slate. Tapas, the disciplined austerities—such as occasional fasting (upavāsa) or plain eating (ayambila)—retrain bodily cravings to step aside, sharpening inner focus much like intermittent fasting has in the wellness world.

Ethical vows—ahiṃsā (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (restraint) and aparigraha (non-possession)—form the sturdy scaffolding preventing fresh karmic attachments. Every word, deed and thought turns into a chance to practice restraint, courtesy and compassion.

Finally, Dhyāna (deep meditation) is likened to moonlight dispelling darkness—direct, unmediated experience of the pure Self. In an era when global events like International Day of Yoga shine a spotlight on mindfulness, these ancient techniques still pack a punch. By weaving together right belief, right knowledge and right conduct into daily life, Pravachanasara proves that sometimes the simplest practices deliver the most profound transformations.