________________
8
Pre-view (Purva Rangas
deficiency of some important things or knowledge in that area, and then he mentions how he is going to solve the problem.
Here also one notes the same scientific pattern. In 'stanza 2, the Ācārya has introduced the topic; then the author mentioned about the beauty of the Ekatva-Vibhakta Samaya, and the shortcomings of the narrations of bonding or movies of temporary associations (stanza 3). Next, he says that everybody has heard, understood, and experienced the narrations of bonding, but one rarely gets a chance to hear, understand, and experience the Ekatva-Vibhakta soul (stanza 4). Finally, here he writes that he is going to show the Ekatva-Vibhakta soul using his own spiritual wealth.
Question : It is O.K. It is clear that the approach of Ācārya
Kundakunda is scientific. But what is a big deal in it? People are suffering from poverty, health crisis, lack of love and respect, war, drought, and sufferings of 8.4 million Yonis (various kinds of past lives as insectş, animals, hellish beings, etc.). Would it not be more appropriate for us to read that treatise which addresses these issues? Why to devote our
precious time to learning about soul? Answer: These issues were certainly in the mind of Ācārya
Kundakunda. We know this on the basis of his other writings in which he covered such aspects. But in this treatise Samayasāra, his description is not focused on going from one problem to another problem. Therefore, he first put all these problems of worldly beings in one bag with a tag, “Narrations of Sensual Enjoyment, Pleasure, and Bonding" (verse 4), or, "Movies of Temporary Associations” (stanza 3). He wants us to know that the poverty is a baggage of bonding, the sickness is a baggage of bonding, and sufferings of 8.4 million Yonis are also movies of temporary associations. In short, all our worldly issues can be placed in one bag. The Ācārya wants us to realize that we are separate and different from this baggage. Without this understanding, we would hate one bag and would crave for another bag. He wants us to experience the beauty of the indivisible, sovereign, and eternal soul. He wants to provide a Master-Key to open all kinds of locks to
www.jainelibrary.org
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only