Beyond Doubt

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 30

CHAPTER III
One who pays homage and reverence to great sages is blessed with all kinds of worldly pleasures and also with Atmananda i.e. bliss infinite. What to speak of the rewards that one acquires on paying obeisance to the great saints. The reward that one gains cannot be explained but only experienced, since it is beyond the most powerful speech and imagination.
As soon as Indrabhuti entered the Samvasarana, he was elated and joyous. He was convinced that the person seated on the throne was none other than the perfect Tirthankara possessing infinite knowledge, faith, conduct and power. The Rigveda also regards these personages to be great and compassionate. "ऋषभादिवर्धमानान्ताः जिनाः "
"चतुर्विंशतितीर्थङ्गराणां शरणं प्रपद्ये"
The Vedas have also recorded and composed mantras1 of Lord Shantinatha2 and Lord Arishtanemi3. The ex-President of India. late Dr. S. Radhakrishnan has written in his world-famous volume EAST AND WEST" that Jaina philosophy is as ancient as Vedanta philosophy and Jaina faith (religion) is also as ancient as Vedanta faith.
Mantra Shantinatha
3 Arishtanemi
On seeing Lord Mahavira, Indrabhuti realised that it was impossible for him to deafeat Him. He could not give up the idea of competing, for this would leave a very bad impact on his disciples and also on the general public. He also hesitated to go ahead for the debate for the fear of being defeated and losing all the hardearned reputation and glory. He was thinking of ways to safeguard his prestige and reputation. He said:
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कथं मया महत्वं मे रक्षणीयं पुरार्जितम् ।
प्रासादं कीलिकाहेतोर्भङ्क्तं को नाम वांछति ?
incantation
16th Thirthankara
22nd Thirthankara and cousin of Yogishwar Shri Krishna
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