Essence of Jainism Part 02

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

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must speak, do it in a ge
speak, do it in a gentle manner, taking care not to offend the feelings of any one. However, you can do it only if you do not hate he evil-doer: lest you iudae any one. please do realise that it is not impossible that you might have committed sins turning yourself into a thief or something much worse, might be, not in the present but in a previous birth; Might be, as luck would have it, you were guided on a right path by a guru and mended your ways, earning merits. The result is that you live to-day a better person th you were likewise, the evil-doer of today will mend his ways, when, by a fortuous occurance, he will be influenced by a good companion. He will then shed the disease of evil that ails him now and becoming normal and lead a life of virtues.
Draddhaprahari-a very cruel man, killed four persons and snake Chandkaushik had a violent temper. Yet both were benefitted so well by a noble company, that evil in them disappeared completely.
Such an uninvolved, forebearing and trusting the ultimate good in human nature, attitude of mind, borne out of a deep understanding, is called MADHYASTHA BHAVANA. Patanjali says : मैत्री करुणा मुदितोपेक्षणं सुखदुःख पुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां
भावनात: चित्तप्रसादनम् (1) To be friend of the happy. (2) To show compassion towards those who suffer (3) To be cheerful towards the virtuous and (4) To be indifferent towards the wrong-doers-these; four mental attitudes create a cheerful mind.
The four Bhavanas : Maitri, Pramod, Karunya and Madhyastha-purity our heart and conduct and create pleasentness in mind. A happy mind at peace with itself develops equanimity and quietude in this life and excellece in virtues in the next birth also.
Upadhyaya Vinayavijayji in his work- 'Shant Sudha Ras' says that there are Twelve Bhavanas or twelve reflections to purity the mind. We should always cherish and meditate on Twelve Bhavanas to ensure a clean life. To strive thus, to uplift the soul is the success worth achieving in human life. Twelve Bhavanas for transforming the mind are as follows : (1) Anitya Bhavana : (Transitoriness) All things are short lived.
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