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ÄCHÄRYA HEMCHANDRA that they would be able to make their point today and glorify their religion. Yet, they were wrong. They underestimated Hemchandrächärya. To the surprise of the Brahmins, Hemchandracharya bowed down in front of Lord Shiva and said,
"Bhavbijänkura jananä Rägädyähä Kshayamupägata Yasya; Brahmä Vä Vishnurvä Haro Jino Vä Namastasmai."
"I am bowing down to that god who has destroyed passions like attachment (Räga) and hatred (Dvesha), which are the cause of worldly life, whether he is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, or Jina."
This showed that indeed the Acharya was a genius and had a broad-minded attitude based on basic Jain principles. Under Hemchandra's influence, King Kumärpäl accepted Jainism. He prohibited violence and the killing of any animal in his kingdom. King Kumärpäl made many laws that nurtured the Jain religion. Vegetarianism was found not only in the Jains, but also in all the people of Gujarat. Jainism became the religion of the region.
Hemchandra composed several literary works that included many verses. The Acharya was the first one to put non-violence on a political platform. He was the architect of the greatness and unity of Gujarat. In the field of metaphysics, he was a Yogi. His work Yoga-Shästra, a treatise on yoga, is very famous. People called him 'Kali-Käl Sarvajna' meaning 'all-knower in the dark period'. He died in 1173 AD at the age of eighty-four. The Jain culture still shines brightly in Gujarat, due to the influence of the literary works contributed by the great Ächarya Hemchandra.
Summary : Ächärva Hemchandrächärva was the spiritual teacher of King Kumärpäl of the state of Gujarat. It is because of Hemchandrächärya that Kumärpäl accepted Jainism and became a Jain. It is because of this reason that Jainism and vegetarianism flourishes well in the state of Gujarat. Hemchandrächärya has composed many literary masterpiece works and has written treatise on many original Jain texts and Agams.
Every soul is in itself absolutely omniscient and blissful.
The bliss does not come from outside.
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JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I
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