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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
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BHAGAVATI ARĀDHANA COMMENTARIES ON IT KATHAKOSAS ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND OLD KANNADA
LITERATURE
In India, Aradhanā is generally known as service, worship etc. In Jainism, it is “devoted adherence to the precepts of the Omniscient, leading to the final bliss”. But a comprehensive meaning of Aradhanā together with its technical background and based on some important ancient texts, has been offered by Dr. A. N. Upadhye : "Aradhanā consists in firm and successful accomplishment of ascetic ideals, namely, Faith, Knowledge, Conduct and Penance, that are laid down in jainism ; in maintaining a high standard of detachment, forbearance, self- restraint and mental equipoise at the critical hour of death; and in attaining spiritual purification”.
The subject of Aradhana is as old as Jainism. The Bhagavati Sutra, the fifth Anga of the Ardhamagadhi Canon contains (8.10.354) the general phase of Arādhanā as taught by Mahāvīra himself.
Later the great importance of Aradhanā naturally tempted several Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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