Awakening

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 54

· 36
Afterwards, the Jiva (man) has to go alone carrying the bundle of Karmas. Nothing else accompanies him.
Blinded by passion, Bilwamangal thought that a floating dead body was a log of wood; and that a poisonous snake was a rope. He forgot that youth, beauty and love were transitory.
Pride is like a trce; and attachments are like its green leaves. The various bad qualities like birds build their nests on the tree of pride and dwell there.
We should ennoble our lives by developing virtues and by seeking the advice of a mentor. We should replace attachment by the feeling that all living beings are equal.
Just as a farmer ploughs his field in Chaturmas and grows food, we should cultivate our souls and develop spiritual qualities. We should perform Samayik (a Jain ritual) to ennoble our souls. This is the first step to wards the attainment of salvation.
The strong flame of a light is beautiful. A firm mind is not less beautiful than that. Samayik (Samayik is an observance. Anyone can spend 48 minutes in absolute austerity like a Jain monk. This is called Samayik,) enables us to attain mental peace and firmness. - Just as a pearl diver dives to the bottom of the sea and brings pearls; a Sadhaka i.e., one who strives for spiritual purity dives into himself through Samayik and