________________
INFLUX OF TIRTHAMKARA NAME-KARMA
rāvasyakāparihāṇirmārgaprabhāvanā pravacanavatsalatvamiti tirthakaratvasya
(24)
24. The influx of Tirthamkara name-karma is caused by these sixteen observances, namely purity of right faith, reverence, observance of vows aud supplementary vows without transgressions, ceaseless pursuit of knowledge, perpetual fear of the cycle of existence, giving gifts (charity), practising austerities according to one's capacity, removal of obstacles that threaten the equanimity of ascetics, serving the meritorious by warding off evil or suffering, devotion to omniscient lords, chief preceptors, preceptors and the scriptures, practice of the six essential daily duties, propagation of the teachings of the omniscient, and fervent affection for one's brethren following the same path.
185
Faith in the path to liberation characterized by detachment preached by Lord Jina is purity of faith, which has been described already. It is characterized by eight qualities, freedom from doubt, freedom from worldly desire, freedom from revulsion, freedom from superstitions, development of one's spiritual capacity, ensuring steadiness of right faith and conduct in others who are prone to swerve from the path, joy and affection towards the right path and those following the path and propagation of the true path. Reverence is homage to the three jewels which lead to liberation and the preceptors and the rest who initiate others in the path to liberation. Faultless observance of the vows of non-injury etc. and the supplementary vows such as giving up anger etc., which safeguard the vows constitute freedom from transgressions. Incessant cultivation of knowledge of the soul and the other categories is constant contemplation of right knowledge. 'Samvega' is the perpetual fear of the cycle of existence or transmigration. Charity is of three kinds, namely giving pure food and right knowledge and dispelling fear by infusing courage. The giving of these to others according to one's capacity is charity. Austerity is voluntary affliction of the body in conformity with the scriptures and one's capacity. When the treasury is on fire, attempts are made to extinguish it, as it benefits all. Similarly, the ascetic is the seat of rare
24
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org