Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 159

PANCASUTRA : A STUDY 141 moral injunctions, aphoristic maxims, homely illustrations and their application, cryptic statements and arguments, and of short descriptions."19 As we read through this text we are struck by some literary excellences that lend a sort of beauty to this semi-religious and semi-philosophical treastise. In order to elucidate the various points pertaining to religion and philosophy the author makes effective use of some figures of speech and examples or illustrations. He is capable of epigrammatic brevity and writes brief, pointed, simple yet effective prose. We cite here below a few passages to illustrate our general observations regarding his style ; एवं सुहुममेयं, न तत्तओ इयरेण गम्मइ, जइसुहमिवाजइणा, आरुग्गसुहं व रोगिण त्ति विभासा / Here we have two apt similes to illustrate the point that none else than a liberated soul can truly realise the nature of the bliss of moksa just as one who is not a monk cannot realise the happiness of a monk or a person afflicted with disease cannot realise the happiness of good health. In the following passage we have an apt malopama : ___ सेवेज्ज धम्ममित्ते विहाणेणं, अंधो विय अणुकड्डगे, वाहिओ विव वेज्जे, दरिदो विय ईसरे, भीओ विय HENRI A sravaka should follow his dharma-mitras (senior colleagues) just as a blind man follows his 'leader', a sick person his physician, a poor man his master and a person placed in danger a great general. Here is an appropriate simile : ....farfen 3ffret cashrifin.../ The religious duties, performed by a monk, who does not respect his guru (spiritual teacher), are as good as not performed like the austerities etc. of an unchaste woman--which prove totally barren. Here we have a mala-rupaka : आणा हि मोहविसपरममंतो, जलं दोसाइजलणस्स, कम्मवाहिचिगिच्छासत्थं, कप्पपायवो सिवफलस्स / The Jaina agama is the supreme spell or incantation to quell the poison of delusion, the veritable water to put out the fire of hatred and the like, the science of medical treatment to cure the disease of karma, the wish-yielding tree that bears the fruit of moksa. Here we have another mala-rupaka : ...मोहतिमिरदीवे, रागामयवेज्जे, दोसाणल-जलनिही संवेगसिद्धिकरे हवइ अचिंतचिंतामणिकप्पे / The monk who practises asceticism sincerely is a veritable lamp that dispels the darkness of delusion, a physician who cures the disease of attachment, an ocean to extinguish the fire of hatred,...