Nav Smarana

SR No.: 008333
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: Vinod Kapashi
Total Pages: 224
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Devotion, Worship, Worship, J000, & J999
File Size: 922 KB

Page 44

of fear and live in fear of some sort of disease. They think that something has happened to them or they will have some disease when they see any symptoms. People also have a fear of death.
Many people have nightmares about burglars and thieves. Many people think of loss in business or loss of their jobs. These types of fear make them nervous and perplexed.
This continuous state of living in fear makes one very weak in mind but the mind itself has to be strengthened. One can find solace, derive courage and be fearless by having faith in their God's ability to remove all fears. Jainism is no exception. Jains have believed that the recitation of the name of a Tirthankara and his worship can give one strength and can free them from all fears.
From ancient times man has always been afraid of diseases and death. Death may come naturally or due to some external reason. In ancient times when people were living in small townships there were different types of obstacles. Theft and robbery were common even in that period. Many battles and wars took place during the time of Mahävira. Well known is the battle between the kings of Champå and Vaishäli. The beautiful and prosperous town of Vaishäli was almost destroyed.
There were other fears too. Fear of wild animals and snakes was common. Many people were living in the open and they were subjected to the attacks by wild animals. Lions would come and grab their cattle or even kill people. Elephants sometimes would run wild and create havoc amongst the population. Snakes too were common. In fact, there were hundreds of different types of poisonous snakes. Man was always afraid of a snakebite. There were not many cures and some snakebite caused instant death.
People used to travel by rivers and sea. Again the vessels they used were not sophisticated as they are now. These vessels hardly proved viable in the raging sea. A heavy sea storm meant death for all seafarers.
Furthermore, there was fear of the rulers and high-ranking government officers. Not all rulers were kind. Some were ruthless and cruel. A man was scared to confront government officers. Punishments were severe and it was not uncommon to sentence a thief to the gallows.
There were also fears of bad health, old age and death. Though everyone has to die and no one lives forever, no one on the other hand desires a sudden or a violent death. No one liked to suffer from any diseases. However, there are mentions of all forms of disease. There was a fear amongst man that a disease could strike due to bad omens. There are stories of diseases being spread by the black magic powers of certain demigods (vyantaras). Actually one of the nine recitations, The Uvasaggaharam Stotra, was composed to eradicate plague.
The Digambara books, Samaysär and Darshana Pahud, have described seven different types of 'fear' (bhaya)'
Jainendra Siddhanta kosha 3/205a)