Way of Life Part 1

SR No.: 006513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 432
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 22 MB

Page 22

THE WAY OF LIFE
Dwadashangi are 12 great scriptures of which the last one has 14 Purvas. The essence of Dharma is taken from it. It is a deep and boundless ocean. All cannot churn the ocean. Have you at any time swum in the ocean? This is a very difficult task; is this not? But there are some bold and adventurous people who can dive into the ocean and bring from its depths, gems. Knowledge also is an ocean. It is not a sea of salt water. It is not the Arabian sea. It is indeed an ocean of fresh and foaming milk. It is an ocean of amrit or nectar. The Acharya Dev, Haribhadrasuri says, "I collected some gems of thought from this ocean of the milk of sublime thought and composed my work".
You can have a sample of that ocean of divine nectar through this discourse. You taste it and if you relish it and if you enjoy it, we will give you not a drop but a cupful! Yes! If you once taste the sweetness of this nectar of Wisdom, then the pleasures of the five senses will be tasteless and insipid. Truly, sensual delights are nothing compared to the delight of knowledge ज्ञानमग्नस्य यच्छर्म तदक्तुं नैवशक्यते It is not possible to describe in words the delight that a soul experiences when it is immersed in knowledge and wisdom. The great sage who wrote this book was a great man immersed in wisdom. See his humility! He says, "I took some drops from the ocean of scriptures. In this work, there is nothing that is mine. I am but a medium".
How astoundingly absolute is his dedication to the Jain philosophical tradition that aims at the spiritual welfare of all living beings! He says, “Apart from the sacred words of the Jin, this book contains nothing that is mine; nothing of my creation.” He has no pride at all in respect of his profound knowledge and wisdom; in respect of his intelligence or his fame and popularity. The name, true knowledge is given to that which consigns into the cavities of oblivion all traces of ego.
THE PURPOSE SERVED BY THE COMPOSITION OF THE GRANTHA
One question that arises is : "Why did the great Acharya compose this Grantha ? What necessity was there for his com