Religion and Philosophy of the Jainas

SR No.: 001190
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Jain International Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 266
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, Ethics, & Principle
File Size: 13 MB

Page 69

36 RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE JAINAS
Taking fuel in his hands he once more went to Prajāpati as his pupil. Prajāpati again asked : “Well Indra, what again has brought you back ?” He again told him his difficulty. Prajāpati said : "So it is indeed, Indra; I shall explain the true Self further to you and nothing more than this. Live here another five years." He lived there for another five years. This made in all 101 years. Prajāpati then said : “Indra, this body is mortal and always held by death. It is the abode of that Self which is immortal and without body. When in the body, by thinking this body is I and I am this body' the Self is held by pleasure and pain. So long as he is in the body he cannot get free from pleasure and pain. But when he is free from the body, when he knows himself different from the body, then neither pleasure nor pain touches him. The wind is without body, the cloud, lightning and thunder are without body (without hands, feet etc.). Now as these arising from the heavenly ether, appear in their own form, as soon as they have approahced the highest light; thus does that serene being, arising from this body, appear in its own form, as soon as it has approached the highest light - the knowledge of the Self. He in that state is the highest person. He moves about there laughing, playing and rejoicing, be it with women, carriages or relations, never minding the body into which he was bom. Like a horse attached to a cart, the spirit is attached to the body. Now where the sight has entered into the void, there is the person of the eye, the eye itself is but the instrument of seeing. He who knows 'let me smell this is the Self, the nose is but the instrument of smelling. He who says ‘let me say this is the Self, the tongue is but the instrument of saying. He who knows 'let me hear this’ is the Self, the ear is but the instrument of hearing. He who knows ‘let me think this is the Self, the mind is but divine eye. He is the Self, seeing these pleasures (which to others are hidden like a buried treasure of gold) through his divine eye i.e. through the mind rejoices. He who knows that Self and understands it, obtains all worlds and all desires." Indra was satisfied by this explanation, went to the gods and taught them this doctrine.