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THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS.
__ अात्मानुशासनम्
ATMANUSHASANA.
मङ्गलाचरणम् लक्ष्मीनिवासनिलयं विलीनविलयं निधाय हृदि वीरम् । प्रात्मानुशासनमहं वक्ष्ये मोक्षाय भव्यानाम् ॥ १ ॥
___BENEDICTION. 1. Cherishing in the heart Víra (Mahavíra the 24th Tirthankara), who is the place of residence of Lakshmi (perfection), whose sins have been destroyed, I describe Átmánushásana for the attainment of liberation by those who are capable of being liberated.
Commentary. Vira. The last Tirthankara Mahavíra Svá mi is often referred to by four other names, Vira, Vardhamāna, Ati-vira, and Sanmati. Lakshmi is the goddess presiding over riches, knowledge, science, and arts in perfection. The word as used here refers to the attainment of inherent perfection, infinite-conation, infinite-knowledge, infinite-power and infinite-happiness, etc. It also refers to the Super-glory of the Hall of Audience (Samosarana) of the Lord, . where the Arhats preside and where discourses emanate from him.
Atmanushasana, is the name of this book. Literally, it means Self-culture, or Self-education.
Bhavyanam. For the good of the Liberable that is, those who are inclined to listen and derive benefit from the discourses hereby given. दुःखादिभेषि नितरामभिवाञ्छसि सुखमतोऽहमप्यात्मन् । दुःखापहारि सुखकरमनुशास्मि तवानुमतमेव ॥२॥
2. Oh soul ! thou art always afraid of pain, and desirous of pleasure. Therefore I also offer thee the object of thy desire, which tends to give pleasure and remove pain. यद्यपि कदाचिदस्मिन् विपाकमधुरं तदा तु कटु किञ्चित् ।। त्वं तस्मान्मा भैषीर्यथातुरो भेषजादुग्रात् ॥ ३ ॥
