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

Page 382

This is to be borne in mind that the spiritual awakening is to be sharply distinguished from the moral and the intellectual awakening. Even if the man prior to spiritual awakening gets endowed with the capacity of intellectual and moral achievements, it cannot be said to have dispelled the darkness spiritual. The characters portrayed by Jaina Acaryas of Dravya-lingi Muni and some of the Abhavyas who have attained to the fair height of intellectual knowledge and moral upliftment illustrate this sort of life without spiritual awakening. Thus the flower of Mysticism does not blossom by the water of mere morality and intellectuality, but requires spiritual manure along with it.
It will not be idle to point out here that the soul in this stage is called Samyagdristi, Antaratman, Bhinnagranthi, and the occupant of Sthiradrsti. Being spiritually converted, the Samyagdrsti considers his own self as genuine abode, regarding the outward physical dwelling places as artificial. He renounces all identification with the animate and inanimate objects of the world and properly weighs them in the balance of his discriminative knowledge. His is the only self that has acquired the right of Moksa. Besides, he practices universal compassion (Anukampa), does not hanker after worldly opulence and empyreal pleasures, shows no feeling of disgust at the various bodily conditions caused by disease, hunger etc. and is free from all fears. Again, being overwhelmed by fear, inferiority and greed for profit, he does not recognise Himsa as Dharma. Apart from this, he has deep affection for spiritual matters and strengthens the conviction of those who are faltering in their loyality to the path of righteousness and disseminates spiritual religion through various means best suited to time and place.
Fall from spiritual awakening :
If the spiritual awakening is due to the total annhilation of Darsana Mohaniya (vision-deluding) Karma, the self has thrown over all the chances of its fall to the lower stage. But if the spiritual awakening is consequent upon the suppression of Darsana Mohaniya Karma, the self either falls to the lower stage or remains in the same stage with the emergence of certain defects ordinarily incognisable. 2. Purcation :
After dispelling the dense and intense darkness caused by the visiondeluding Darsana Mohaniya) Karma, the ardent longing of the awakened self is to purge the conduct deluding (Caritra Mohaniya) Karma which now stands between it and the transcendental self. Only those who are in possession of sturdy will are capable of doing so, says Amrtacandra. In this stage, the aspirant gradually makes himself free from all Himsa root and branch. In consequence, he first adopts the five partial vows (Anuvratas) in order to sustain the central virtue of Ahimsa, as far as possible. This state of self's journey may be