________________
340
THE WAY OF LIFE
centrate your mind and eyes on the Paramatma. Can you concentrate your eyes on the idol of the Paramatma ? Can you contemplate with concentration on the Supreme virtues of the Paramatma ? No. You cannot; the mind keeps wandering through the lanes of Samsar because Samsar appears meaningful to you and you feel that you should love Samsar and so you develop intimacy with Samsar. Even in the temple you would like to seek familiarity with house-holders. Is that not so ? Why is the temple built ? Is it to enable you to develop intimacy with the Paramatma or with the people of the world ? You speak about your life, your family and your society in the temple; is that not so ? Remember that in the temple of the Paramatma, you must love the Paramatma and you should develop intimacy with him. If you do other things in the temple, a dreadful punishment awaits you. The power of Karma will punish you. Therefore, I exhort you to be careful. You may be wealthy people; you may be beautiful or handsome people and you may be intelligent people but the power of Karma does not forgive any offender. The best place where you can visualize the Paramatma is the temple. The idol of the Paramatma is the best aid to achieve this objective. In fact, this is the purpose of your having a darshan of the Paramatma, of worshipping him and of glorifying him. You must bind yourself with the Paramatma with your innate love and that innate love emerges only from a close intimacy.
YOU MUST READ THE LIFE-HISTORIES OF THE PARAMATMAS
You must read the life-histories of the Thirtankar Paramatmas. If you read their life histories, you will develop love for their great achievements and actions. "The Thirtankars performed such sublime actions !” You will develop reverence for them. When you read the life-history of Bhagwan Rishabhdev; you will find that in his previous Janma as Jivananda Vaidya, he showed great devotion to a sick Sadhu and served him. This story will amaze you. If you read the life history of Bhagwan Mahavir, you will find that in his earlier Janma as Nayasar, he was absolutely hospitable to guests. This story
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org