________________
EKLAVYA'S FAITH IN IDOL:
Eklavya was a hunter's boy. He wanted to learn archery from Guru Dronnacharya, but he was refused. Hence, he installed an idol of the Guru Drona and began to practise archery before it with complete dedication of mind. He surprised even Arjuna in proficiency in the art of archery..
The sense of complete dedication of Idol is God Himself. A child expresses such a devotion to its mother and the mother reciprocates the sentiments fully while bringing him or her up. Likewise as we move nearer to him, His grace is received. The total dedication of self to God, losing it into Him, is the path. We lose ordinary Consciousness but gain supreme consicousness-godhood.
NINE TYPES OF DEVOTION:
(1) Hearing God's name (2) Devotional singing (Kirtan) (3) Remembering (4) Worshiping (5) Bowing down (6) Adorning (7) Servitude (8) Friendly sentiment (9) Dedication of self.
This is known as "Navadha Bhakti" -nine-fold path of worship or Prema Laxana Bhakti. Worship in which love predominates, we can worship God by hearing, singing and remembering His Divine qualities. The acts of Bowings down, Worship and adoration are performed before the Idol or the image, while servitude, friendliness and dedicating one's self are forms of worship done in meditation where idol's help is not sought.
(1) Hearing God's Praise (Shravana) :
When we hear a good thing constantly, we are likely to think of it often and are attracted towards it as liking develope. By hearing and meditating on Him, we develop faith and love for Him. Hearing is the first step to devotion. We should visit places where His praise is sung or recited. We begin to love Him more and more. After love, comes faith which matures into devotion in the end. In the beginning we may have little faith, but on hearing beautiful songs of His praise, we certainly feel a sense of joy and devotion in Him grows.
(2) Songs of Praise (Kirtan) :
When we withdraw ourselves from worldly things and listen to devotional songs like stavan, sazzaya, bhavna, we become engrossed in contemplating Him. In singing His praise, we forget the world. Devotional songs describe Him-His real nature and manifest qualities.
Jain Education International
80
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
