Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 4

SR No.: 008005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 373
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion
File Size: 24 MB

Page 93

Vada ] Nihnavavāda
: 69: thus their preceptor. On account of excessive strain taken by him in reading and teaching the practice of Agādha yoga, Arya Aşadhācārya suffered from acute pain in his heart and he died on the same night. Consequently, he attained divine form in the Nalinigulma viman (region) of Saudharma deva-loka.
This was not known to any one in the temple. Then having known the past incident by Avadhi Jnāna3, Arya Aşāļhācārya took compassion on the sādhus who were practising yogas and entered the same body. Immediately after that, he got up and asked the sādhus to proceed with their lessons of the second half of the night. Thus, the god in disguise of a preceptor taught the Uddeśa (ains ) Samuddeśa (explanations ) and Anujnā. (Commandment) of the Holy writ. Practices of all the stages
According to Patanjali, yoga is defined to be “the preventing of the modifications of Citta or the thinking principle (which modifications arise through the three Pramāṇas-Perception, Inference, and Verbal testimony-as well as through incorrect ascertainment, fancy, sleep, and recollection) by abhyāsa or the constant practice of keeping the mind in its unmodified state (clear as crystal when uncoloured by contact with other substances) and by vairāgya or dispassion.” This dispassion being obtained by praạidhāna or devotedness to the Supreme Being, who is defined as a particular puruşa or spirit unaffected by afflictions, works etc. The eight means or stages of Yoga or Mental Concentration are : -1. Yama (forbearance ) 2. Niyama (religious observances ) 3. Asana (postures ) 4. Prāņāyama (regulation of the breath) 5. Pratyāhāra (restraint of the senses) 6. Dhāraṇā ( steadying of the mind ) 7. Dhyāna (contemplation) 8. Samādhi (profound meditation, which according to the Bhagwad Gitā VI B. is to be practised by fixing the eyes on the tip of the nose. True Liberation is the cessation of matter and spirit or Kaivalya (isolation ) the self-mortification and asceticism connects it closely with Buddhism and Jainism (Vide pp. 821822 Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Sir Monier Williams ).
3. Perception attained by means of concentraction of attention,