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454/Go. Sa. Shrivakanda
Gatha 367-368
The Tirthankara's conduct is beneficial for the world, but it does not bring him any merit. Similarly, the words spoken by those who initiate charity, worship, etc., do not bind them with karma.
"Sanjad-dhammakahā vi ya uvasayāṇam savārasantoso.
Tasavahvirai sikkhāmāvarghādo ti sāmumado ||55||" - The Dharmakatha of the restrained and the unrestrained teaches self-contentment and cessation of birth and death, but it does not permit the destruction of the stationary. The aim is liberation through the teachings of restraint, not the fruition of actions.
"Pāvāgamadārāi praṇāirūvattiāi jīvammi.
Taththa suhāsavādāraṁ ugghaīte kau sadoso ||17||" - The doors of sin are present in beings from time immemorial. Those who open the door of good conduct while these doors remain, how can they be without sin? ||27||
Therefore, the twenty-four Tirthankaras are flawless, and therefore they are worthy of worship by the wise.
If someone doubts that the Tirthankaras are present amidst the paraphernalia of the Murddundubhi, flag, fly whisk, throne, white and pure umbrella, drum, conch, and Kahala (drum), etc., and that they are the support of the three worlds, therefore they are not flawless; such a doubt is not correct because they are adorned with the nine Kevala-labdhis obtained through the influence of the four ghati karmas. Therefore, they cannot be associated with sin.
Thus, by refuting the doubts regarding the twenty-four Tirthankaras, the Chaturvishatistava describes the method of praising the twenty-four Tirthankaras, who are different in name, establishment, substance, and essence, and the fruits thereof.
"The Namastava is the acceptance, i.e., recitation, of the 1008 names of the twenty-four Tirthankaras by following their virtues. The Sthapanastava is the following or chanting of the form of the artificial and natural Jinapratimanas, which are established in the establishment of good and bad, and which, through intellect, have attained oneness, i.e., non-duality, with the Tirthankaras, and therefore possess all the infinite virtues of the Tirthankara.
"The praise of the Jinabhavan is included in the Jinastapanastava, i.e., the praise of the Jinabhagavan established in the image, therefore its separate description is not given here. The one who is free from all pains arising from poison, weapons, fire, bile, wind, and phlegm, who, with the brilliance of his halo, has illuminated the ten directions,
1. J.D.P. 1 p. 105. 2. J.P.P. 1 p. 106. 3. J.P.P. 1 p. 108. 4. Jayadhaval P. 1 p. 108/84.