Haribhadras Yoga Works and Psychosynthesis

SR No.: 001262
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S A Desai
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 106
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Yoga
File Size: 7 MB

Page 17

Haribhadra and Psychosynthesis
writing treatise on six systems of philosophy. Similarly it was Haribhadra who was the first initiator of comparative synthetic exoposition of philophy, yoga and right conduct.8 He seems to be a master of pen and speech and that can be seen from his varied works. Four features of this outstanding personality are : (1) as a perceptor and kathakära (2) as a thinker philosopher (3) as an renovator of right religious behaviour and (4) as a integrator of yoga systems and a creator of yogic psychosynthesis. To know this genius in more details from his works and that is the only recourse we have, it is worthwhile to have a general review of all these features in its seqence. Kathakāra Haribhadra XV
It was a common tradition not only in Jainism but among orthodox Hindus and Buddhist to write and tell meaningful stories for the common people. Exhortation interlinked with effective stories leave great impress on the audience and this truth was well realized by ancient writers. The predecessors of Haribhadra used the same method and Haribhadra treaded the same path.
This aspect of a Kathākāra of Haribhadra's life made it possible for him to come into contact with society and still to live aloof from it.
The Philosopher
Haribhadra has made a high mark as a balanced philosopher. Pandit Sukhlalji has rightly described him as 'Samadarśī Haribhadra.' He has risen far above secterianism as a philosopher. He was not merely a philosopher who wrote on Jain scriptures alone but who wrote balanced treatises on ancient scriptures of all the main traditions with equanimity. He acted what he thought and in this sense he was a true Acarya.
His graded growth as a philosopher can well be deducted from his works on philosophy. His fisrt attempt at philosophical writings was to write co nmentaries on Jain Āgamas like Āvaśyaka etc. in the same olden veia. He wrote these traditional treatises in Sanskrit and that was the only novelty about these works. But when he began to write on philosophical topics independently after deep thought, his unique power of philosophising began to shine forth. Such of his philosophic writings can be divided into three categories : (1) books like Anekāntajayapatākā (2) books similar to Šāstravārtāsumuccaya and (3) books on the subject like saddarśanasumuccaya
All these three categories of his philosophic works mark a speedy development and widenings of his vision. In Anekāntajayapatākā, be