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The 'Yatas' who are restrained from sinful actions and bow down to various practices of restraint, become great. Who are they? - They are the 'Dhira' great men. Similarly, some knowing the object of renunciation and acceptance, and knowing it correctly from the word 'api', become fearless, knowing that what the Jinas have preached is the only path to liberation, and thus become determined to destroy karma. Or, there is another reading, 'Vinnatti Vira Ya Bhavanti Ege', 'Eke' - some are those who are heavy with karma, of little strength, who call themselves heroes by mere knowledge, not by practice. And liberation is not achieved by knowledge alone. For,
"Having studied the scriptures, many become fools, but he who is active is a wise man.
Consider the medicine for the sick, not just knowledge, cures the disease." ||1.17||
Commentary - Those who abhor sinful acts and know the objects of knowledge, do not themselves commit sins, nor cause others to do so, nor approve of those who are engaged in sinful acts, out of fear of oppression and violence against sentient beings, both seen and unseen. They do not themselves speak falsehoods, nor cause others to do so, nor approve of those who do so. Similarly, this sequence should be applied to other great vows. Thus, they remain always restrained, free from sinful actions, and engaged in various forms of religious practices. Who are they? In answer to this question, it is said that they are the 'Dhira', the patient, great men. And there are many such virtuous men who, knowing the object of renunciation and acceptance, and knowing it correctly, according to the meaning of the word 'api' used here, become fearless, knowing that what the Tirthankaras have preached is the only path to liberation, and thus become determined to destroy karma. Or, they conquer the trials and tribulations. Thus, they are 'Vira', valiant. Here, the reading 'Vinnatti Vira Ya Bhavanti Ege' is also found. This means that some who are burdened with heavy karma, of little strength, call themselves heroes by mere knowledge, not by practice. But liberation is not achieved by knowledge alone. Therefore, it is said - Even after studying the scriptures, many remain fools, devoid of wisdom. In reality, the wise man is he who practices the actions or conduct described in the scriptures. Because mere contemplation of medicine does not cure the disease.
"Small bodies and large bodies, all these he sees as himself.
The enlightened one, free from delusion, should enter the order in this great world." ||1.18||
Shadow - Small bodies and large bodies, all these he sees as himself.
The enlightened one, free from delusion, should enter the order in this great world.
Translation - In this world, there are beings with small bodies and beings with large bodies. Knowing all these as equal to himself, the enlightened one, the observer of the truth, should enter the order in the presence of the restrained, virtuous ones.
Commentary - What are those beings? Out of fear, he says - Some are 'Dahre', small, slow, subtle, or whatever, all these are beings. And those who are 'Vuddha', with large bodies, all these he sees as equal to himself.
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