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10 THE JAINA GAZETTE.
APRIL last Lord is reached by a bridge of stone. In the temple itself is a low chamber, facing the eust are 3 niches; the central one, the largest of the three, contains the foot-impressions of Lord Mahavira; the niche on the right of it, of his disciple Goutama Svami; and that on the left those of Sudharmacharya. Both these saints flourished in the time of Mahavira and attained Nirvana within 62 years of his death, at Puva. How tranquillizing and purifying the effect of a visit to the hallowed feet is, can be best known by actual experience. Of course, it is altogether a matter of faith and different breasts breathe different emotions on these occasions. But all must agree that the advantages of pilgrimages, if made in the right spirit and without aggrandising their spiritual efficacy unduly, are many. The profits of travel are many. Our English rulers have an old tradition that the education of a youth is not complete unless he has made a tour of the European continent. The great philosopher, Bacon, has given many advantages that accrue to an intelligent traveller; and all who have travelled feel conscions of a self-confidence, widened views, larger enjoyment of life and a truer conception of its conditions and principles, to which a "homekeeping youth" is a stranger. The pilgrimages, then, draw together for counsel and sympathy, and for the pnrpose of co-operation and exchange of cordial fellow-feelings, co-religionists who may otherwise not be thrown together all their lives. Another great good that pilgrimages may lead to is quite lost sight of in the up-to-date-idea that the average pilgriin holds of his journey to the shrines of those whom he worships. This is the purifying and the improving of the changing details of onr ancient faith. Conservatism beyond a certain limit does not mean preservation of the good points of an institution; it rather means stagnation ; which generally leads to dull decay and subtle but steady corruption of the faith that we seek to preserve. This trimming of the feathers of the wisdombird of the Jainas, conld, to a certain extent, be done by these periodical meetings of great minds and good of the community; but the way in which pilgrimages are performed now does not witrrant our having any hope whatever in this direction.
In conclusion, we can only hope that our educated brethren, would not throw the opportunity when it arises of paying a visit to Pavapuri and sitting at the visible-in-visible feet of the great master, whose bright finger points still to the eternal path and whose charming voice still allures the weary pilgrim to the regions of peace, of joy and truth!
J. L JAINI.
| SR No. | 542480 |
| Book Title | Jain Gazette 1906 04 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Jagmanderlal Jaini, Sumerchand Jaini |
| Publisher | Jaina Gazette Office |
| Publication Year | 1906 |
| Total Pages | 22 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Magazine, India_Jain Gazette, & India |
| File Size | 6 MB |