Path of Arhat

SR No.: 001745
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T U Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Smarak Parshwanath Shodhpitha Varanasi
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 262
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Spiritual, Religion, & Principle
File Size: 15 MB

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The Path of Arhat : A Religious Democracy
Jaina prophets and those having attained the last stage of perfection are called 'Jina' and 'Arihanta'. The word 'Jina' means the conqueror and the word 'Arihantu' means one who has killed enemies ( 'Ari' means 'enemy' and the root 'Han' means 'to kill'). The 'enemies' referred to here are not those outside us, as is generally misunderstood by us. They are our internal enemies mentioned above, i, e., passions. The conquest, suggested by the word Jina' is the conquest of these internal cnemies ( The expression ‘Arihanta' is also pronounced differently as “Arhat which means 'Respectable'). According to the Jaina seers, once you conquer these internal enemies you will find no enemy outside and there would be no sense in shedding blood and commiting violence. It should be noted that during the time of Mahăvîra, and subsequent to it, Jainism got good deal of patronage from great kings such as king of Bimbisära and his son Ajatašatru of Magadha ( present Bihar ). After his death, Candragupta Maurya, the founder of the big Maurya empire, Emperor Samprati, the grandson of Emperor Asoka, Emperor Khärvela of Kalinga ( present Orissa ) and then in 12th century King Kumarapala of Gujarat are some of the big empire builders who were staunch followers of Jainism. In discharge of their duties as kings, they had to maintain efficient armics and weaponry. They themselves were fierce warriors and yet they have been recognised as good Jainas because Jainisin does not debar persons from resorting to violence if the same becomes inevitable and is done in discharge of duties.
In this connection it is interesting to take note of a story about king Ajatasatru, a very powerful emperor of Magadla of his time. Ajātasatru attacked the neighbouring kingdom of 'Vaiśäli'. It was an unprovoked attack, Ajátasatru was such an ardent follower of Mahavira that, as the story runs, he used to take food only after obtaining the news of the wellbeing of the Master. The Master, however, did not approve of his unprovoked attack on "Vaišali'. When Ajatasatru inqui. red from the master as to what would be the fruit of his