Pinnacle Of Spirituality

SR No.: 032343
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 188
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 42 MB

Page 168

75. A Powerful Tool
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VS 1957, Shrimad arrived in Ahmedabad with his mother Devba and his wife Zabakba. The monks had also come there for the monsoon season (Chaturmas). Shrimad had brought two large manuscripts of the Jain Digamber sect, "Gyanavarna" and "Swami Kartikeyanupreksha," which he had his mother and wife present to the monks Lalluji and Devkaranji.
Shrimad realised that other monks were not keen to carry scriptures as they moved from place to place. He wanted to reawaken their sense of duty, and wake them up from their complacent slumber. He thus turned to them: "My dear monks, this Soul has carried the burden of wife and children, and yet it has not served, or devoted itself to, the Self-realised persons nor to religious souls." He then asked Muni Laxmichandji to carry the Gyanavarna manuscript for Shri Devkaranji and asked Muni Mohanlalji to carry the other manuscript for Shri Lalluji, until they had finished reading them. He recommended that they should all read, contemplate and discuss them.
Shrimad's health was worsening and all his relatives and devotees were very concerned, but Shrimad, absorbed in his inner bliss, retained his poise and composure. In Wadhwan, Sukhlalbhai, a devotee, wanted to have some photographs of Shrimad taken, and Shrimad consented. Two portraits were made: in one he has posed in padmasana, the Lotus Position, and in the second, kayotsarga mudra, in a standing meditative posture. These portraits, together with those of the Tirthankars, form the focal points of all ashrams dedicated to Shrimad Rajchandra.
The next day, Shrimad expressed his feelings regarding his inner state when he was photographed, with Mansukhbhai Devshi, saying: "Despite the extreme physical infirmity, I walked there with my will power." He described his inner state as totally detached, similar to that of Lord Parshvanath with no hatred towards the demon Kamath, who harrassed him, and no attachment towards the angel (Dev) Dharnendra, who rescued him.
Shrimad had profound love for shrut, the teachings of the Enlightened Souls. He recommended constant study of such religious texts, as he considered them a reviving nectar for souls thirsty for liberation. He wrote: "Vitrag shrut is a powerful tool. Its significance must be understood from a realised soul, leading to a clear perspective. In the absence of such a realized soul, the teachings are beneficial. Even when it is not possible to associate with a realised soul at all, these scriptures can be of great benefit to those with a clear perspective. It is for this reason that the great souls have composed the Scriptures."