Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 5

SR No.: 008006
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 616
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion
File Size: 14 MB

Page 207

197 The Upādhyāya, greatly agitated with fear, thought ** This man is ready to kill me. To day I have got the best opportunity to say out the true nature of the real essence as 1t stands. Besides, the Vedas declare and it is our established custom, to say out the truth as it stands when the dangerous inisfortune of decapitation faces us, otherwise, we cannot say it out under any other circumstance. I will disclose the truth to him and my life will be saved."
Thinking of his own welfare, the Upādhyāya said "Underneath the sacrificial post, an image of an Arhat, a Tirthankara of the Jainas, has been erected and it is worshipped secretly, down below. By the supernatural influence of te presence of this image, all our religious ceremonies relating to sacrilices are accomplished without any mishap. to oui enure satisfaction.
Otherwise, the great Sage Sidha-putra and the most devout Nāradaji will certainly ruin all the preparations for a sacritice, without the presence of an image of a Tirthankara there."
The Upadhyāya then removed the sacrificial post and having shown h.m a diamond-image of the Tîrthankara carefully preserved there, said, “The doctrine preached by the Tirthankaras represented by this image, is the real essence of True Knowledge. Sacrifices are only degrading. The doctrine preached by the Tirthańkaras is full of compassion towards living beings How can there possibly be any probability of a True Dhartia in sacrifices involving the destruction of innumerable living beings ? Alas! it is a pity, that we make a living by enirapping innocent people in our deceitful net-work of false belief! O worthy man! therefore, you carefully study the principles preached by the Tirthankaras, become a devout foilower of those principles, and free us from our sins, O fortuna e man! I have cheated you for a long time for the sake of iilling my belly. Now, I am no longer your Upadhāya. May you be liappy !"