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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
11. DEAR PEOPLE THAT ADORE YOUR PRECEPTOR
DEAR PEOPLE THAT ADORE YOUR PRECEPTOR !
In the Namaskāramahāmantra (the holy hymn of incantation) the preceptor or Arihanta has been saluted before Paramatma or Siddhadeva. Kabir says, "If God and Preceptor both stand before us, we experience a serious conflict. The Preceptor is a benefactor and God is great and is to be given a greater adoration than is given to the Preceptor. In such a situation, whom should we salute first ?"
Kabir says, "Those who adore Gurudev and realise God recognise the greatness of the Preceptor." In Kabir's view, those who do not realise the greatness of the Preceptors are blind though they may have eyes. Their inner eye is blinded. In Rajasthan, such people are called Hiyaphoota (those whose inward eye has been blinded). Kabir says, "If God is angry with us, we can hold the holy feet of the Gurumahadev and seek his protection but if the Gurnmahadev is angry with us, where shall we go for protection and whose feet shall we hold in supplication? Who shall save us?" Here the greatness of the teacher has been described in accordance with the Hindu religion because Hinduism had influenced Kabir.
But, according to Jainism neither the Preceptor nor God becomes angry with any one because both are above all passions. Therefore, like Kabir you need not shiver with fear imagining such anger in the teacher or God but it is necessary to realise and acknowledge the greatness of the word Gurumahadev. The cataract of knowledge and wisdom flows down from the Gurumahādev. From him, you can get answers to your questions. The problems of those who thirst for knowledge are solved by him. He provides solutions to your problems. He shows
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