Key of Knowledge

SR No.: 006702
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1919
Total Pages: 1204
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had chariots of iron" (Judges, 1, 19) *
These and all other similar instances of shortcomings in the gods are not meant to be understood in their exoteric sense: the reader must search for their hidden interpretation, which, when discovered, would enable him to realize that his true, living God is nearer to him than the vital vein in his body, as the Prophet of Islam rightly proclaimed.
We may now explain the mythological significance of Sarasvati, the goddess of wisdom. She is noted for her love of music and carries a vina (a kind of banjo) in her hand. Her word is inviolable; she rides on a hamsa (swan), and is the daughter of God. These are her chief characteristics. It would seem that the primary conception is that of Jina-bâni, the voice of God, from Jina, the Conqueror of samsara, hence, God, and bani, voice. As such, she represents revelation, for which reason her word is absolutely inviolable. She is the daughter of God, because she directly springs from a Tirthamkara (God). The hamsa on which she rides is a symbol for breath, because ham and sa (ham +sa hamsa) are the sounds actually heard in deep inhalation and exhalation, respectively.
*The explanation of this passage is a death blow to the idea of favouritism, its main symbolical elements being (1) chariots signifying bodies, as in the allegory of the Mahabharata which shows under what circumstances and with what effect Vishnu (dharma) be. comes the charioteer of Arjuna (the soul), (2) Jehovah, the great principle or magnet of Love, and (3) iron indicating what is readily attracted by a magnet, hence a soul in love with God. Thus, the passage in question was probably intended to signify the relationship of love between God and a self-conscious soul, which would tend to protect and not destroy the latter.