Mahavira Jayanti Smarika 1975

SR No.: 014031
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhanvarlal Polyaka
Publisher: Rajasthan Jain Sabha Jaipur
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 446
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 11 MB

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a stage of vision and fall may intervene. Thus the whole mystic may be put as follows: (1) Spiritual awakening (2) Purgation, (3) Illumination (4) Dark-night of the soul, and (5) Transcendental life.
Dark period of the self prior to spiritual awakening
In this stage the empirical souls remain in a perpetual state of spiritual ignorance owing to the beginningless functions of Mohaniya (deluding) Karma. This Karma on the psychical side engenders a complex state of 'Moha' having perverted belief (Mithyadarsana) and perverted conduct (Mithyacaritra) as its ingredients. Here the effect of Mithyadarsana is so dominant that the self does not evince its inclination to the spiritual path, just as the man invaded by bileinfected fever does not have liking for sweet juice. This Mithyadarsana vittiates knowledges and conduct alike, In its presence both knowledge and conduct, however extensive and suffused with morality they may be, are impotent to disinte grate the hostile elements of the soul and to lead us to those superb heights which are called mystical. Consequently the darkest period in the history of the self is the one when the self is overwhelmed by Mithyadarsana. It obstructs all our mystical endeavours. Thus the plight plight of the the self in self in this stage resembles totally ecli sed moon or a completely clouded sky. It is a state of spiritual slumber with the pecularity that the self itself is not cognizant of its drowsy state. Led astray by the perverted attitude, the soul staying in this stage identifies itself with bodily colour, physical frame, sex, caste, creed, family, friends and wealth. The consequence is that it is constantly obsessed with the fear of self-annihilation on the annihilation of the body and the like and is tormented even by the thought of death. Kundakunda and following him, Yogindu, Pujyapada, Subhacandra, Karttikeya etc. recognise this stage as the state of Bahiratman.
that of a
1. Spiritual awakening:
Spiritual awakening is the result of Granthibheda (cutting the knot of ignorance). By virtue of cutting the knot, the Bhinnagranthi sees supreme verity and acquires unswerving conviction in the true self. This occurrence of Samyagdarsana (spiritual awakening) is consequent upon the instruction of those who have realised the divine within themselves or are on the path of divine realisation. Yogindu points out that insight is attained by the Atman, when at an opportune time, delusion is destroyed. "Even as a person born blind can see the world as it is on the sudden acquisition of eyesight, so can a soul having experienced the vision can see the truth as it is". "Even as a person suffering from long-drawn disease experiences extreme delight on the sudden disappearance of the disease, so does a soul eternally bound to the wheel of worldly existence feels spiritual joy and bliss on the sudden dawn of enlightenment."