Dravyasamgraha

Author(s): Nemichandra Acharya, Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp

Page 16

disciples and followers.
By this time he had mastered the nature and causes of all karmas which result into merit and demerit. He fully assimilated the knowledge contained in Ācārya Kundkund's Samayasāra, his favourite Scripture. He undertook the task of guiding bhavya jīvas, ascetics and laymen, to the path to liberation. He has always been extremely keen in propagating, for the benefit of all, the teachings of Lord Jina.
We know that in every half cycle of cosmic age, the aeon of regeneration (utsarpiņī) or of degeneration (avasarpiņi), twenty-four Tīrthankaras are born in this part of the universe (called the Bharata kşetra of Jambudvīpa). Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, graced this earth more than two and a half millenniums ago. In the absence of Tīrthankaras, Ācāryas are the true light to guide us on the path that leads to true happiness here and hereafter and ultimately to liberation.
The Munirāja derives extreme happiness in observing both internal and external austerities. With the shield of fortitude as his protection, he lets his naked body endure, without any regret, the afflictions of extreme summer and winter. Reflecting always on the transient nature of life, like that of the evening cloud, he treads firmly on the path to liberation. Having long ago renounced his worldly family and home, and realizing that the world is a storehouse of sufferings, he derives extreme contentment in putting his feet forward on the path to liberation as shown by Lord Jina. Thinking always that there is no regime better than that expounded by Lord Jina, he dedicates himself firmly to the service of no one else but Lord Jina. With an unshakeable faith in the Teachings of Lord Jina, he incessantly meditates on the five great vows and the ten universal virtues. He has no attachments, external and internal, to sense pleasures, to karmas, or even to his own body. He has no aversions towards the objects of the environment. He has won over desires with contentment and restraint, negligence or inadvertence with study and meditation, and anger with composure and compassion. Having no conflict or disagreement with any living being, human or plants and animals, he showers his blessings on all like a mother blesses her child. He exerts with extreme care to save from injury the mobile as well as the immobile beings. He has fully grasped all realities including the soul and
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