Ashtapad Maha Tirth 02

SR No.: 009860
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Rajnikant Shah, Others
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 532
Language: Hindi, Sanskrit, Gujarati
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 26 MB

Page 7

Blessing from Pujya Shri Chitra Bhanuji
March 9th 2012
My dear Dr. Rajnikant bhai and all the members of Jain Sangha, I send my blessings and appreciation to you and your family and Jain Sangha who have created a monumental crystal Ashtapad Tirth in New York for liberation (moksha) from raga and dvesha, attachment and aversion and birth and death. Rajnikantbhai is a man of vision. With his devotion and dedication this Crystal Ashtapad became possible. Ashtapad is a unique spiritual Tirth. The meaning of Tirth is to swim across the ocean of life. It is not for worship but practice of Ahimsa and Jivadaya in all aspects of life. Ashtapad derives its name from the fact that it has eight steps to go up the mountain (“Ashta" means eight and "pad” means steps in Sanskrit).There is a symbolic meaning behind these eight steps. Eight steps represent eight karmas that cover the nature of the consciousness.
The four harming karmas (ghātiyā karmas) directly affect the soul powers by impeding its perception, knowledge and energy, and also brings about delusion. These harming karmas are: jñānavārana (knowledge-obscuring karma), darśanīvarana (perception-obscuring karma), antarāya (obstacle-creating karma) and mohanīya (deluding karma). The four non-harming category (aghātiyā karmas) is responsible for the soul's physical and mental circumstances, longevity, spiritual potential and experience of pleasant and unpleasant sensations. These non-harming karmas are: nāma (body-determining karma), āyu (lifespan-determining karma), gotra (statusdetermining karma) and vedanīya (feeling-producing karma), respectively. Bhagwan Rushabhdev step by step overcame his eight karmas and attained omniscience and moksha. Realising the symbolic meaning of this Ashtapad, each one of us must try to overcome the eight karmas and attain moksha. We must all make effort to maintain the sanctity and purity of this Tirth.
Love and Blessings
VII