Fundamentals Of Jainism

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Veer Nirvan Bharti

Page 47

SAMVARA
39
(xi) Bodhidurlabha bhavana- 'Difficult is it to acquire the human form; having acquired it, it is difficult to know the truth, having known the truth, it is difficult to have faith in it; having acquired faith in the truth, difficult it is to practise it; therefore no opportunity should be lost in the acquisition of the Three Jewels (Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct).
(xii) Dharma bhavanâ- 'Dharma (religion) without mercy is but a form of mithyâtva (falsehood); dharma is the reflection of the divine effulgence of the atman; without dharma moksha (freedom) cannot be attained; true dharma is
ascend. In the lowest heavens, the devas and devangnas (wives of devas) enjoy long life and co-habit like human beings; they have no bones in their bodies, which are resplendent and shining, and capable of assuming any desired form by the mere force of will. As we rise higher in the celestial region, the method of the gratification of sex-passion becomes less and less gross in form-in some heavens satisfaction resulting from mere contact, in others from perception, conversation, and so forth-till it finally disappear in the graiveyakas, where there are no devangnas.
Longevity also varies in the different heavens, becoming longer and longer as we go up, till the longest ayuh in the last anuttara comprises no less than thirty-three sågaras (oceans) of years. The residents of the highest anuttaras have only one more earth-life to undergo before final emancipation.
In the mudhyaloka, human beings are found in different places, in the first two and a half continents which cover the entire region illumined by the Sun. The conditions of life differ in these regions also, owing to the influence of the motion of suns, stars, moons and other heavenly bodies, In some places men enjoy great felicity, almost equalling that of devas, while in others, such as our little earth, the conditions of life vary with the periods of time.
As regards the conditions of existence in hells, life is more and more painful as we descend to lower and lower regions. Duration of life also increases proportionately in the lower hells, varying from 10,000 years in the first hell to thirty-three sågaras in the lowest, i.e., the seventh The nigoda is the place into which fall all those who commit the worst kinds of sins. These are they who may be said to go to the 'outer darkness,' in the language of the Bible. Their case is hopeless, and, although they might come out of it again, no one can say how long they might have to remain there. Excruciating pain, extreme misery and unbearable torment at the hands of their neighbours and superiors are the characteristics of existence in hells. The resident of these unhappy regions are all neuter, and spend their time in lamentation and anguish.