________________
398 ]
[Eleven Ganadharas of the Lord and their history
If you want to understand what 'Moksha' really is, I will tell you that it is nothing but the complete destruction of Karmas. The existence of Karmas is proved by the Veda as well as by the dissimilar conditions of the Jivas. Karmas are destroyed by means of Right faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. And, that is why, highly enlightened people can see Moksha with their own eyes. To get Right Knowledge and Right codduct is to attain Moksha which can be attained in human life only. For, only they can understand the secret of Soul, who are righteous and devoid of all feelings of joys and sorrows. Such a mental and moral equipoise is possible only for a man and for no other beings, Thinking this, O wise Prabhasa ! you should not doubt in the reality of Moksha.”
After hearing this religious instruction of the Lord Prabhasa's doubt vanished away from his mind. He blessed his own fate and prayed to the Lord for consecration. The Lord consecrated him and his disciples accordingly. Although Prabhasa was only 16 years at this time, yet he was counted among the wisest Pundits of his day. After his consecration, he abandoned the worldly life and accepted complete renunciation. He remained in Chhadmastha-Par. yaya (the non omniscient condition) for a period of 8 years and, in the end, attained pure Kevala Jnana in that very state.
Thus the eleven Pundits, all of whom were born in high families and all of whom were highly learned men, came under the influence of the Lord and became his Chief disciples or Ganadharas. May the influential words of the Influential Lord give ineasureless spiritual power to the
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
