Yasastilaka and Indian Culture

SR No.: 001609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 566
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, Literature, & Culture
File Size: 16 MB

Page 280

10. JAINA DOGMATICS AND MORAL AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
261
who were not acquainted with the real facts. Somadeva goes on to say that a religion cannot be sullied by the misdemeanour of a weakling among its adherents, just as the ocean does not become foul on account of a frog dying in its waters. This is, of course, true of all religions, but the Jainas seem to be prepared, under certain circumstances, to ignore occasional infractions of the moral code if they can thereby save their religion from any possible opprobium or disgrace.
Sthitikāra is the strengthening of the conviction of those among one's co-religionists who may be faltering in their loyalty to the faith, and show signs of breaking away from the fold. A person initiated into the Jaina religion may be wavering in his allegiance owing to the rigour of the vows and insufficient knowledge of the scriptures, and it is the duty of the faithful to hearten him and strengthen his loyalty to the faith.: A novice must not be discarded on account of a single lapse, and the aim of a good Jaina should be gananardhana, 'the advancement of the community', to be accomplished by constant efforts to win back waverers and sceptics and restore their allegiance. The ends of religion can be served only by the efforts of various types of men, and each one should be assigned the rôle for which he is fit. Any negligence of this principle deprives men of access to the truth, prolongs the cycle of births, and contributes to the decay of the faith. The story of Vārişeņa illustrates this aspect of one's obligations to one's religion,
Prabhāvana is propagation of the faith by the installation of images and the establishment of temples and the institution of worship and festivals as well as by the diffusion of knowledge and the practice of manifold austerities." We are also told that it is one's duty to enhance the prestige of the faith, without any motives of worldly gain, by means of charity and diverse forins of knowledge and science and the celebration of grand festivals and ceremonies.8 The story of Vajrakumāra shows that a good Jaina must be prepared to defend his religion against the encroachments of rival sects.
Vätsalya is helping one's co-religionists in distress, as illustrated in the story of the sage Vişņu. Connected with vātsalya are certain kindred virtues
1 See Chap. XVI. 2 अशक्तस्यापराधेन किं धमों मलिनो भवेत् । न हि भेके मृते याति पयोधिः पूतिगन्धताम् ॥ 3 ta A NTHITHI BITTE BEACHTET Whet hyfa 11 P. 304. 4 नवैः संदिग्धनिर्वाहैविदध्याद्गणवर्धनम् । एकदोषकृते त्याज्यः प्राप्ततत्त्वः कथं नरः॥ 5 q: whefeff are tal979: 1 344: Fann y Trei na aiseta 6 उपेक्षायां तु जायेत तत्त्वाइरतरो नरः । ततस्तस्य भवो दीर्घः समयोऽपि च हीयते ॥ 7 n a farfaus: 1 FIHETETUTTO STREHITHTFT II P. 309, 8 तद्दानशानविशानमहामहमहोत्सवैः। दर्शनद्योतनं कुर्यादैहिकापेक्षयोज्झितः ।।