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absorbed in meditation for twelve and a half years, eventually attaining Arihanthood. He was acknowledged as the Lord of the Yogis as he had attained omniscience, or Kevalajnana. With the right knowledge he possessed through self-experience, he saved, from birth, old age, and death, the 'people suffering miseries and agonies of the world. Therefore, he deserves these four epithets : the conqueror of attachment and aversion, Arhat (the deserving), the lord of the Yogis, and the protector of beings. Impressed by these qualities, the author of Yogashastra, pays obeisance to Mahavira before beginning the work proper.
पन्नगे च सुरेन्द्र च, कौशिके पादसंस्पृशि । निविशेषमनस्काय, श्रीवीरस्वामिने नमः॥ २ ॥
Meaning: I bow to Mahavira, who showed no discrimination to the Kaushik serpent and Indra, who touched his feet with intentions of biting and showing respect respectively.
Explanation : By casual remarks of respect or of contempt, ordinary people are affected this way or that way, but Mahavira was far above all such things. Even in the most extraordinary circumstances-not to talk of ordinary ones-Mahavira, had remained equanimous. It is this feature that enabled him to secure emancipation as he had already obtained perfect knowledge. Remembering these super-human qualities of Mahavira, the author of this Yogashastra offers him obeisance at the point of starting to write this book.
Yoga Shashtra
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