International Journal Of Jaina Studies Vol 01 To 03 2005 To 2007

SR No.: 022773
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Peter Flugel
Publisher: Hindi Granth Karyalay
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 202
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 159

the Digambaras. 2 Memorizing the sacred texts, and understanding their meaning is the aim of svādhyāva. Laity as well as mendicants cannot improve themselves without being perfectly conscious both of their faults and of the way to perfection. At the time of death, memory of the sacred texts is important. The tradition clearly e plains the fruits of svādhyāya after death, and destroys any doubts on this point. However, the relationship between the principle and the narrative content of verse 81 remains obscure.
In the Bhagavati Arādhanā, one finds a verse quite similar to Aśādhara's:
"If king Yama escaped from death thanks to a sloka fragment, and became a good ascetic, how much more [one will achieve) thanks to [remembering] the sūtra told by the Jina"!3
The context is the same: without knowledge, that is to say, knowledge of the tradition, religious deeds are blind and fruitless. Here too, however, the behaviour of Yama is enigmatic. The reader knows only that the "śloka fragment" does not belong to the Jaina scriptures or tradition, and must be considered as secular. A wonderful conclusion: a king can obtain important religious results by quite non-religious means! How is this alchemic operation possible?
Fortunately, the auto-commentary of Sāgāradharmämrta VIII.81 gives the fragments of the ślokas Yama himself composed:
"You cannot make your mind up, donkey, you looked for barley: don't eat it!"*
"Why the fruit would be elsewhere: let bring it to me from here: she is asleep (niddiva) in the hole!'15
"Do not be afraid of us, the thing you have to be afraid of is manifestly far away!"16
1. Williams 1963: 237.
13 Bhagavati Arādhana 771: jaidā khanda-silogena Jamo maranādu phedido rāvā 1 pallo va susāmannam kim puna jina-ulta-sutiena il
14 Critical edition, p. 341: kattasi puna nikkhevasi re gadahā javam patthesi khādidum II
annaitha kim phalo vahatu me ittham niddiyä сhidde 11
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