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VI. MYSTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JAINA ETHICS
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necessity of virtuous life, reveal the significance of Deva, Šāstra and Guru, and bring out the effects of God-realisation. These different types of Bhajana may be found out in Banārsi Dăsa, Bhāgacanda, Dyānatarāya, Bhūdhara Dāsa, Ananda Ghana etc. Abhikṣaṇa-Jñānopayoga implies the strenuous pursuance of spiritual knowledge. Though it is predominantly intellectual, it is capable of arousing our devotion towards God (Arhat and Siddha). We have already pointed out the importance of Svādhyāya. To be greatly affected by the importance of Svādhyāya is called Pravacana Bhakti.
IMPORTANCE and EFFECTS OF DEVOTION: Next come the importance and effects of Bhakti. According to Kundakunda, he who bows down with great devotion to the feet of Jina undermines the root of Samsāra.1 Pūjyapāda pronounces that the self by dint of its devotedness towards Arahanta and Siddha can transform itself into the State of Paramātman.2 Vādīrāja Muni represents that notwithstanding deep intellectual attainments and untainted moral accomplishments the doors of the edifice of liberation locked by delusion are incapable of being thrown open by the aspirant without applying the key of profound devotion.3 Again, since God is incomparable and unlike, our devotional outpourings are incapable of unfolding his being, says Vādirājamuni. Despite this disharmony between our words and His Being, our expressions permeated by the nectar of devotion are capable of bestowing upon us the desired fruits.5 All sorts of mundane pleasantness and supermundane results follow as a consequence of God's devotion, nay, perforce accompany the devotee. Thousands of imperilling disturbances and obstructions forthwith disassociate themselves from the devotee. He who has heard God's pious name and has applied his heart and soul to it has escaped the mountain of distresses. He who unwaveringly and with tears of joy and with jubilant voice adores God relieves himself from diverse heart-rending diseases.' Though God has transcended the duality of praise and censure, yet the singing of His glory sweeps away the filth of vices from the mind of devotee.° Again, in spite of the fact that the ocean of God's characteristics cannot be crossed by the ship of words, it is unequivocally certain that
1 Bhāva. Pa-153. 2 Samādhi. 97. 3 Ekibhāva Stotra, 13. 4 Ibid. 21. SIbid. 21. 6 Ekibhāva Stotra, 10-11, Bhaktāmara Stotra; 48 Jinašataka, 81;
śānti Bhakti; 6. 7 Santi Bhakti, 2; Kalyāṇamandira Stotra, 9. 8 Kalyānamandira Stotra, 35,38; Santi Bhakti, 4. Jinašataka, 81; Ekibhāva Stotra, 3 Bhaktāmara Stotra, 45; 10 Svayambhu. 57; Ekibhava. 2; Bhaktamara. 7.
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