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work emphatically conveys that religion is not just for acquiring worldly happiness in the life after death, it is also for attaining the purity of heart The life of a religious person becomes free of cravings and fondness. The direct fruit of religion is in the form of the capacity to remain equanimous, peaceful and composed in adverse circumstances. All what is written in this 'Rai-paseniya Sutra' is for the purpose of revealing this fact in a forceful manner
FIVE SECTIONS
This scripture has two main sections-The first section contains incidents of arrival of Suryabh Dev in the Samavasaran of Bhagavan Mahavir, display of his divine powers, performance of thirty two types of dramas, return to Devlok and his anointing ceremony. This also includes interesting and poetic description of celestial vehicles.
The second section contains the story of king Pradeshi, the earlier incarnation of Suryabh Dev This story was narrated by Bhagavan Mahavir in answer to Gautam Swami's question that what spiritual practices and austerities in the earlier birth resulted in this god's acquiring such exceptional divine powers. These are the two main sections of this scripture However, on the basis of content of details it can also be divided into five sub-sections
(1) Description of celestial vehicles
(2) Arrival in the Samavasaran
(3) The performance of Suryabh Dev.
(4) The dialogue between king Pradeshi and Keshi Kumar Shraman. (5) The future incarnation of Suryabh Dev-Dridh Pratijna Kumar.
The story of Dridh Pratijna Kumar informs that a person who indulges in spiritual practices during earlier birth leads a religious life and is blessed with pious qualities, happiness, good luck and prestige High level of religiosity is clearly evident in his behaviour.
THIS EDITION
'Rai-paseniya Sutra' is a narrative work (Kathanuyoga). Therefore it seems that the translation and elaboration would be easy as compared with Anuyogadvar Sutra. But on commencing the work it was found that it is more complex than Anuyogadvar Sutra. Not only that its language and description are highly ornamental, it also abounds in technical terms In the description of celestial vehicles the divine and celestial
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