Pravachanasara

SR No.: 003289
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A N Upadhye
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram
Publication Year: 1964
Total Pages: 612
Language: Hindi, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 16 MB

Page 579

414
Translation of
[III, 63
63. Sramaņas, skilled in the interpretation of sacred texts and rich in moral discipline, austerities and right knowledge, should be welcomed with a stand-up, should be served and be bowed down to by other ascetics.
64. It is opined that one does not become a Sramana, though endowed with moral discipline, austerities and scriptural study, if he has no faith in the realities, the foremost of which is the soul, as preached by Jinas.
65. Seeing an ascetic abiding by the injunctions of the scripture, he, who ridicules him through malice and is unwilling to do these reverential duties (unto him), ruins his conduct.
66. If a monk of inferior merits, thinking (proudly) that he is a Sramana, expects reverence from one who is more merited, he wanders in worldly existence till infinity.
67. If monks possessing more merits with regard to their asceticism, remain practising (their duties) with (or in the company of) those of inferior merits, they are victims of false faith and lose their conduct.
68. He, who has properly grasped the interpretation of the sacred text, who has pacified the passions and who excels in austerities, cannot be self-controlled, if he does not abandon company with common people.
*22. He, who is pained in mind at the sight of and receives kindly the thirsty, hungry and miserable, is a man of compassion.1
69. If a monk, after becoming a Nirgrantha ascetic, still dabbles in worldly professions (like palmistry etc.), he is called a worldly man (or a commoner), even though he is endowed (externally) with selfcontrol and austerities.
70. Therefore, a Sramaņa, if he desires for release from misery, should always live with an ascetic of equal merits or possessing more merits.
71. Those, who have wrongly grasped the nature of realities and are sure (in their mistaken way) that the reality, according to the creed, is such, wander long (till infinity) in mundane existence which is full with the fruits of misery.
1. This gatha is the same as P. 137.