________________
I am the Soul
331
of Chattha, Atiham, ardhamasi, masskshuman, churmasi, chhamasi etc. But did Prabhu do just this? No! We have only established the arithmetic of what his body went through externally. What was happening in the modification of the Armu?
How great would have been the state of attachment within him! It took him such a long time to reverse it and to attain a state of detachment. Brothers! Consider this! A person whose unparalleled strength was experienced in his childhood itself, by not only humans but also devas. The devas were compelled to call him not merely Veer - courageous - but Mahaveer. They had to accept defeat at the hands of Prabhu and became servants at his feet. How did the Soul who possessed such unparalleled strength of the body and mind, who was gifted with fearlessness and courage, whose every pore reflected compassion and tenderness, how did such a strong soul have to wage such a long war with his self? How arduous is this? If the body and mind had to bear tribulations and trials, what would the Atma have suffered? And passing beyond all these he totally destroyed the state of attachment.
Brothers! Srimadji has said in the Gatha that - À TEHTA 275 YTÀ E ftafur - How simple it sounds, doesn't it? The knowledge of self was achieved, it destroyed attachment and Moksa was attained. This sounds as if there was fever and he died'. But no, it is not so simple. Even when just the penance of one Lord Mahaveer is considered, it seems so difficult. But many such jivas have attained Moksa and all of them were required to put in so much or even more effort. We are unaware of the history of the penance of many great men. But they all have attained Moksa only with a tremendous effort.
When such an effort appears, the decadence of attachment begins and the nirvana pada is reached. The state upon reaching which the jiva feels accomplished. There is nothing left to be done. Such an ultimate state is the state of nirvana.
Jain Educationa international
For Personal and Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org