Essence of Jainism Part 01

Author(s): Kushalchandravijay
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

Page 88

SHRI V.NEMI-VIGNAN KASTURSURI SMRUTI SERIES
PART I
-
TWENTY TWO NON-EATABLE FOODS
A man eating pure food possesses pure mind and heart. As is the food, so is its effect.
Example of Bhishma Pitamah (Patriarch):
We know that a great battle took place between the Pandvas and Kauravas. Many died and at the end, Pandvas scored a victory over their rivals, Bhishma Pitamah was fatally wounded and the Pandavas came to know of his last moments. King Yudhisthir asked Lord Krishna if they should go to see the dying warror. Krishna advised them to do so and ask his pardon and seek knowledge on state craft. When the Pandavas visited him, Bhishma was surprised to know that the Pandavas had come to seek his guidance on how to run a state ethically. Draupadi happened to laugh a little on Bhishma's giving the advice to the Pandavas on ethical conduct of a king. Bhishma asked her the reason to her laughter. On being pressed to give the reason, Draupadi said that the grand old man had remained silent and passive, when she was insulted and outraged by the Kauravas and her sari was snatched. She taunted him that his present discourse on ethics varied from his own past conduct during that disgraceful event. Bhishma explained her why he could not use his discretion for doing right and said that it was the result of eating food given by the Kauravas who themselves had become prospreous by evil and unfair means. This polluted his blood and afeected his thinking and made him forget his duty and therefore, he could not protest at the outrage commited by the Kauravas on her. Well, we act according to our thoughts. But he could give right advice to the Pandavas now, because the blood formed from unpure food had already been shed through many wounds sustained by him in the battle. As a result, he was able to think well and therefore could advise good things on ethical conduct and the state craft.
Mark well the unwholesome effect of food obtained by evil means. Bad food leads to bad thoughts. People eating meat and drinking liquour take to evil ways. They become Tamashi (haughty). Hence,
45