Bhavana Bodh

Author(s): Shrimad Rajchandra
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram

Page 12

BHAVANA BODH
not deluded when they describe worldly existence as a sea of miseries; but not all these great philosophers are in every respect possessed of sixteen good qualities of the philosophic moon, and for this reason the sayings of all-knowing Mahavir provide a touchstone for proving great philosphy. This touchstone is really great, universally accepted and full of unalloyed or absolute goodness. Equal in comparison with Mahavir, Rishabhadev and like him, other all knowing Tirthankaras have without any desire of personal gain advised the worldly persons for the benefit of the whole world and so they have achieved the degree of universal benefactors.
In worldly life there are unending torments of three kinds. Adhi, (mental trouble) Vyadhi (Physical trouble) and Upadhi ( worldly trouble). Philosophers have always been advising people to be free from these three kinds of torments. Renunciation of worldly life, quelling of mental conflicts, control of afflictions, pity, peace, forgiveness, steadfastness, humility, respect for true teachers, discrimination, absence of desires, celibacy, right understanding and right knowledge -- these are to be constantly observed and to avoid or renounce the following: · anger, greed, pride, deceit, affection, hatred, sense pleasure, violence, sorrowfulness, ignorance and mistaking the unreal for the real. This in short is the substance of all philosophical system and it is summed up in the following :
" PRABHU BHAJO, NEETI SAJO PARATHO PAROPKAR " (WORSHIP THE LORD, ADOPT MORALITY AND PRACTISE BENEVOLENCE)
Really this teaching is praiseworthy and different philosophers have emphasised it in different ways. Though all of them have preached common essential but as a fine and minute observer and a penetrating teacher, Shraman Bhagawan Mahavir tops the list of all philosophic teachers. He as a prince of the Royal throne and a son of king Siddhartha, has shown the nature of everything in the world as it really is and has described it so correctly as to benefit the aspirants of right knowledge and understanding all over the world. He therefore rightly deserves all praise and thanks.
Let us now turn to conclusion as to why should we