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

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YASASTILAKA AND INDIAN CULTURE
Somadeva then deals with Dharmyadhyāna and Sukladhyāna. He who practises Dharmyadhyāna should ponder over the fundamental principles of Jainism, carefully considering the authoritative means of knowledge, and the various standpoints and aspects. Dharmyadhyāna is of four kinds: ājñāvicaya or discerning the truth on the basis of absolute faith in the scriptures composed by Jina; apāyavicaya or pondering on the means of making people abstain from wrong belief, knowledge and conduct; vipākavicaya or pondering over the consequences of the eight kinds of karma; and samsthānavicaya or pondering over the nature and constitution of the universe. Somadeva gives examples of all the varieties of Dharmyadhyāna. For instance, the devotee may reflect on ajñā in the following manner: 'Just as there is no mystery in the world about pure gold and its working, similarly it is the desire of the wise that there should be no mystery about authoritative scriptures. But the scriptures of other faiths) fail to convince even persons of scanty intelligence like myself. How can they help the creatures sinking in the ocean of worldly existence?' Apāya may be contemplated as follows: 'Alas, the darkness of false doctrines makes man's minds blind to the acceptance of the Three Jewels, even though such a step shines with the rays of reason. Let us hope for the day when, casting off sins, men will see the Truth that puts an end to misery.'After reflecting on the constitution of the universe, the devotee should ponder over the consequences of karma : "There in the universe, upwards, downwards, and athwart, the creatures incessantly wander, like dust, impelled by the gust of their own karma.'' It is asserted that he who thus practises Dharmyadhyāna, with his senses and mind subdued, has his darkness dispelled, as if at the rise of the sun
The next step is Sukladhyāna which is the highest form of meditation. The four stages of this dhyāna are briefly mentioned by Somadeva (P. 394.):
भेदं विवर्जिताभेदमभेदं भेदवर्जितम् । ध्यायन् सूक्ष्मक्रियाशुद्धो निष्क्रिय योगमाचरेत् ॥ The first stage, called by Somadeva diversity devoid of unity', is prthaktvavitarka-vīcāra, wherein the devotee is absorbed in the meditation of the Self, but unconsciously allows its different attributes to replace one another. The second stage, called by our author ‘unity devoid of diversity', is ekatva-vitarka
।
1 Alfa: Highfara: I failer arag
y
: 11 P. 394. 2 अरहस्ये यथा लोके सती काञ्चनकर्मणी । अरहस्यं तथेच्छन्ति सुधियः परमागमम् । यः स्खलत्यल्पबोधानां विचारेष्वपि
HIEFTET I Hartia Hurraga: 4 a 11 (CAT) P. 394. 3 अहो मिथ्यातमः पुंसां युक्तिद्योतैः स्फुरत्यपि । यदन्धयति चेतांसि रत्नत्रयपरिग्रहे ।। आशास्महे तदेतेषां दिन यत्रास्तकल्मषाः।
इदमेते प्रपश्यन्ति तत्त्वं दुःखनिबर्हणम् ।। (इत्यपायः) 4 अकृत्रिमो विचित्रात्मा मध्ये च त्रसराजिमान् । मरुत्त्रयीवृतो लोकः प्रान्ते तद्धामनिष्ठितः ।। (इति लोकः) रेणुवज्जा
न्तवस्तत्र तिर्यगूलमधोऽपि च । अनारतं भ्रमन्त्येते निजकर्मानिलेरिताः।। (इति विपाका) 5 farayat y TICHETTA: ITAIFA TH I ETITRIGA !