Tirthankar Mahavir

SR No.: 020834
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 235
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 57 MB

Page 151

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
who has diminished or destroyed the karma that casts veil over the knowledge; can gain knowledge of Religion even without listening to what Religion is from the mouth of the omniscient. But the man who has not effected subsidence-cum-destruction of the knowledge-covering karma can never gain knowledge of Religion without listening to whar. Religion is from the mouth of the omniscient (The same logic is applicable to the attainment of spiritually right attitude or conviction and
spiritually right (pure) conduct or asceticism)." Gautama : "O venerable one ! Can anyone attain omniscience without
listening to the discourses of the omniscient ?" Mahavira: "O Gautama ! The person who destroys knowledge-covering
karma can attain omniscience even without listening to the discourses of the omniscient ?"
Gautama : "O venerable one ! Can one attain knowledge of Religion upto
onmiscience by listening to what Religion etc. are from the
mouth of the omniscient, etc.? Mahavira: "O Gautama ! One can attain knowledgeof Religion up to
omniscience by listening to what Religion etc. are from the mouth of the omniscient, provided one has cffected subsidence-cum-destruction or complete destruction of knowledge-covering karma, deluding karma and obstructive karma, but not otherwise."
Many persons have doubts about soul, karma, moksha, universe, etc. They expressed them before tirthankara Mahavira who removed them. Let us have some idea of the nature of doubts and their solution offered by Mahavira. There lived a parivrajaka ascetic named Skandaka in the city of Shravasti. He was expert in many sciences. He was well-versed in mathematics, phonetics, ethics, prosody, grammar, philosophy, poetics, etc. He went to pay respects to Mahavira. He was very much impressed and pleased to see the divine and majestic form of venerable Mahavira. He expressed his doubts before Mahavira.