Page Text
________________
Daśabhakti – a collection of the adoration of the essentials that help the soul in acquiring merit. The essentials include the Supreme Beings, the Scripture, the Perfect Conduct, and the sacred places like the Nandīśvara Dvīpa.
Some other works, including śāntyastaka (hymn in praise of Lord Shantinatha), Sārasamgraha, Cikitsāśāstra and Jainābhiseka, are also believed to have been authored by Ācārya Pujyapada.
All his compositions hold a highly revered place in Jaina literature due to their lucid style, precise expression and masterly exposition of the subject.
I make obeisance humble at the holy feet ofĀcārya Pujyapada.
Ācārya Vidyanand Firm in his resolution and deep in the knowledge of the right path as revealed by Lord Jina, Ācārya Vidyanand embraces excellent austerities. The lamp that destroys the darkness of delusion and illuminates the right path burns constantly in his heart. Equipped with the true knowledge of the reality of substances and the ability to discriminate between what is beneficial for the soul and what is not, he commits himself to the observance of the five supreme vows (mahāvrata), three kinds of controls (gupti), and fivefold regulation of activities (samiti). Devoid of the three stings (salya) of deceit (māyā), desire for enjoyment of pleasure and splendour (nidāna), and perverse faith (mithyātva), the Acārya is constantly engaged in the study of the Scripture and the Self. He believes that the pure Self is the only object worth cherishing. The pure Self has no delusion, is distinct from attachment and aversion, and knowledge itself. He is free from all corrupting dispositions. He performs penances with due control of the senses and desires, with full vigour and intensity.
Acārya Vidyanand, at the age of eighty-nine, has the rare ability to endure bodily pain and suffering. Since last fifty-one years, as a Digambara Muni, he has been cheerfully practising the mortification of the body (kāyakleśa tapa) in order to subjugate attachment to pleasures, and proclaim the glory of the teachings of Lord Jina. Knowing that the mortification of the body leads to the control of the senses, he lets his naked body endure extreme weather conditions and hardships. As per the
(xv)
| SR No. | 007695 |
| Book Title | Istopadesa The Golden Discourse |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Vijay K Jain |
| Publisher | Vikalp |
| Publication Year | |
| Total Pages | 170 |
| Language | English, Sanskfit |
| Classification | Book_English & Book_Devnagari |
| File Size | 3 MB |