Sadhna of Mahavira as Depicted in Upadhan Sruta

SR No.: 250284
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Z_Yatindrasuri_Diksha_Shatabdi_Smarak_Granth_012036.pdf
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 5
Language: English
Classification: Article & Tirthankar
File Size: 719 KB

Page 3

YATEENDRASURI SMARAK GRANTH - There is a gatha 18 Adu porisim tiryambhittim, Hardships cakkhumasajja antaso jhai, depicting a particular mode of his meditation. It has been differently in
Mahavira had to bear terrible hardships of variterpreted by scholars ancient as well as modern,
ous types caused by inhabitants, animals, insects Jinadas Gani19. Silanka 20. Jacobi21 and Pt.
etc. while in meditation he would be bit even by a Malavania22 have interpreted it as an instance of
snake or a mongoose or a dog; occasionally atmeditation while walking, while Acarya
tacked by ants which made his body bleed and Mahaprajna has interpreted it as the instance of
frequentiy tormented by gad-flies, mosquitoes, bees Trataka dhyana. Commenting on this gatha he has
and wasps. While meditating in a deserted hut he said that fixing the gaze on the wall has been the
would be discomforted by burgalars or debauches, meditational technique of Buddhist monks also.
while meditating on the crossroads, he would be Concentrating on a point with detailed and
upbraided or even hurt by village-guards, equipped unblinkling eyes is called Trataka. By accomplish
with lances or spears. He would often have to bear ment of this sadhna of Trataka one can percieve
even sexual advances caused by women. all three worlds viz. upper, lower and middle. Ac
In the course of depiction of sadhna, one cording to him. Abhayadevasuri23 also has inter
whole uddesaka has been devoted to hardships preted the 'tiryaqbhitti' as the rampart of wall or a and adverse conditions he has to face in ladha mound or the rock.
country (i.e., the districts of Tamulaka, Midnapur. The interpretation of this gatha in the light of
Hugli and Burdavan in West Bengal) surrounded Trataka dhyana is correct. It apppears that fearsome
with prickly grass and hilly area. The people freappearance of Mahavira with eyes bulged out, did
quently attacked him, dogs bite him. Instead of not fit with the divine charm attributed to him, later
coming to his rescue, inhabitants set dogs on him. on, by the tradition. That is why, in Curni and tika it
He would not brush away ancroaching creatures has been explained as meditation while walking.
or annoying insects either himself or make others
to do so. Sometimes while entering some villages He always meditated in complete motionless he was forcibly stopped and even hit by people state in any posture. He used to meditate in shade with a slap or a blow, or a stick, or a spear. Some in winter and in scorching sun in summer. He never inhabitants would even mangle, spit, fling heaps allowed his meditation to be hindered.
and thus inflict hardships on him. Some would lift
him up and throw him down, while in meditation, The practice of non-violence gets precedence
some would push him out of his seat. But he had over all other principles that constitute the spiritu
abandone all care of the body. He was highly tolality. Mahavira, during the course of his sadhana,
erant of the feeling of pain and anguish. Like a warobserved total non-violence. After having fully
rior, Mahavira wearing the armour of total abstiknown the existence of living beings of earth-body,
nence from sinful activites never subdued by hardwates-body, fire-body, air-body, seeds and vegeta
ships and would never be disturbed and would altion and mobile living beings, and after having rec
ways meditate. ognised their existence and ascertained their animatedness. Mahavira carefully rambled about Just as an elephant fighting on the battle front doing no violence to them. He committed no vio- is not easily baffled by piercing weapons, so also lence to any living beings either by himself or with Mahavira remained completely unruffled by and the assistance of others. Mahavira would take triumphed over various kinds of hardships, he exevery care not to cause any hindrance or appre- periences in ladha area. hension to any one whether birds, animals or human beings while on his way for ailms. (1.9.4.11,12). incontri romani incontraronger 21
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