Jaina Gazette 1928

SR No.: 034890
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 502
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 83

174
THE JAINA GAZETTE
of their own bodies,-and having adopted a state of nudity like innocent children, have obtained the Perfect, Iinperishable status. The very sight of such images purifies one's thoughts because our thoughts are generally liable to change according to the nature of the objects we look at. When we look at a picture in which two armed persons are fighting with each other, our thoughts take the tinge of excitement and bravery and our whole nature acquires as it were, a fresh vigour. If we look at a voluptuous picture our thoughts are likely to take the same direction. On the contrary, if we behold the statue of some spiritually-advanced person, our thoughts are sure to become pure and holy. In short, as the nature of the image we look at is, so will our thoughts become. When we have a look at a Shant (calm), and Vitrag (free from love, hatred and other passions) image, the same attributes will have their play in our thoughts. Such images are placed in the Jain temples, and worshipped to create calmness and passionlessness in the worldly souls. In Jainism, it is not the collection of the material atoms that is worshipped, it is rather the attributes,-Shantta and Vitrag of Parmatman—that are contemplated upon and worshipped through the images which eminently put forth such attributes before the view.
Besides, the objection that to worship an image is useless, because an image can give nothing to man, cannot be applicable to the worship of Jain images. According to the Jain belief, God also from a real point of view, does not give anything to man. According to Jainism, Parmatman is Vitrag, does not create, or afford pleasures and pains to soul, does not send soul to heaven or hell, or confer the bliss of moksha on it. As regards Vitragta, Parmatman and His image stand on the same looting. According to the Jain principles, what to say of His image with respect to 'these things, even the Parmatman Himself does not give anything to or snatch anything away from anybody. He does not become pleased or displeased with anybody, neither does He provide one with ease and comfort, nor does He render another wretched and miserable.
Jiva itself makes these conditions. The primary cause Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat