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The Teachings of Bhagawan Mahavir
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO चत्तारि परमंगाणि, दुल्लहाणीह जन्तुणो ।
अहिंसा सच्च च अतेणगं तत्तो य बंभं अपरिग्गहं च । माणुसत्तं सुई सद्धा, संजमम्मि य वीरियं ॥१॥ (उ.३.१) पडिवज्जिया पंच महव्वयाणि चरेज्ज धम्मं जिणदेसियं विद ॥५॥ Four things of paramount value are difficult to obtain 8
(उ. २१.१२) here (in this world), by a living being : (1) human birth, (2)8 A wise monk should (always) practise the five great religious instruction, (3) faith in the true) religion, and (4) 8 vows, viz. (1) to refrain from all injury to sentient beings, (2) energy to practise self-control.
8 to speak the truth. (3) not to steal (or not to take anything not Exp. These four are regarded as very rare and precious 8 given to him; (4) to observe celibacy, and (5) to have no pospossessions, and so naturally are not easy to obtain by living sessions whatsoever; and he should also) always follow the beings. It is of course universally acknowledged that human & religion as preached by the Jinas. birth is a very precious and most valuable thing. Man is called 8
Exp. For those who cannot undertake the five great "the crown of creation." but be forgets that he is born a human 8 vows, there are the five lesser or minor vows called the five being as a result of a very great strenuous effort on his part, & Anuvratas, three Gunavratas, and four Siksavratas. This conand he should not waste the precious opportunity, but rather stitutes the twelve-fold code of conduct for a householder. If make the most of it. And that is why be is exborted here to & it is not possible for a householder to undertake all the twelve acquire the other three precious possessions if he wants to get 8 vows, then he should at least make a modest beginning, and the best out of his life in this world.
8 should exert himself gradually, untile he is in a position to धम्मो मंगलमुक्किद्रं अहिंसा संजमो तवो ।
8 accept all the vows. देवा वि तं नमसंति जस्स धम्मे सया मणो ॥२॥ (दश. १.१) । है तत्थिमं पढमं ठाणं महावीरेण देसियं ।
Religion is the most auspicious thing (in the world) and 8 अहिंसा निउणा दिट्ठा सव्वभूएसु संजमो ॥६॥ (दश. ६.३) religion consists of Ahimsa-non-injury to all living beings, The very first principle of religion laid down by Lord Samyana-self-control, and Tapas-austerities. Even the gods 8 Mahavira is Ahimsa-Non-injury to living beings, which must bow down to him whose mind is always fixed (engaged) in be observed very scrupulously and thoroughly, and behaving religion.
8 towards all living beings with proper restraint and control. Exp. Man always craves for good and auspicious things 8 Exp. The cardianl or the first principle of the Faith as and happenings in life. But he forgets that there is nothing & propounded by Lord Mahavira (and the other Tirthankaras more auspicious. In the world than religion. It is the most effi- 8 also), is Ahimsa. It has got the pride of place or place of honcacious amulet to ward off all evils in the world. A man who is 8 our, among all the vows and all other precepts are subservient always devoted to religion is far superior even to gods.
8 to it, or in fact follow from it logically, If a monk observes सरीरमाहु नाव त्ति जीवो दुच्चइ नाविओ।
8 Ahimsa, both according to the letter and spirit, then he connot
8 violate any other vows. संसारो अण्णवो वुत्तो जं तरन्ति महेसिणो ॥३॥ (उ. २३.७३)
सब्वे जीवा वि इच्छंति जीविउंन मरिज्जिङ । The body is said to be the boat and the soul is aid to be 8 the salior. The samsara (worldly existence) is said to be the 8
तिम्हा पाणिवहं घोरं निग्गंथा वज्जयंति णं ॥७॥
हा ocean which is crossed (only) by great sages.
(दश. ६.१०) अप्पा खलु सययं रक्खियव्वो सव्विन्दिएहिं सुसमाहिएहिं । 8 All living creatures that are in this world desire to live. अरिक्खिओ जाइपहं उवेई सुरक्खिओ सव्वदुहाण मुच्चइ ॥४॥
8 Nobody wishes to die. And hence it is that the Jain monks
8 avoid the terrible (sin of) injury to living beings.
(दश. चू.२.१६) One must always guard oneself - (one's soul) (form all
लाभालाभे सुहे दुक्खे जीविए मरणे तहा । evils), by having all the sense-organs properly controlled. Inसमा निदा-पसंसासु तहा माणावमाणओ ॥८॥ case the soul is not well-guarded. It takes to the path leading 8
(उ. १९.९१) to birth (and death); while if well-controlled, it becomes free 8 He is indifferent to sucess or failure. happiness, and misfrom all
8 ery, life and death, as also to censure or praise, and honour or (sworidly) sorrows and misery.
8 insults.