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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
114
which languages has the Bible been translated ? These are peripheral questions because they are not concerned with the essence, namely, atmakalyāna or spiritual prosperity. What is the essence of these sacred books ? What is their objective? What is the content of these books? What doctrines are expounded in these books? These are the questions that should be asked. The Sadhus give this reply:
साध्नोति स्वपरहितानिकार्याणीति साधुः ॥
Sadhnoti swaparahitānikāryāniti sādhuḥ. «Sadhus are those who achieve their own and others' welfare."
They pursue the path of salvation themselves and inspire others to walk upon that path. They are called Munis (those who observe silence as a ritual) because even through their silence they communicate their messages. There is eloquence in their silence. Communication of lofty spiritual messages need not be articulated. They can be conveyed even through silence.
The Guru or the Preceptor communicates his doctrines and messages through his silence; and the doubts of the disciples are cleared. Those people are called sadhus, who possess tolerance, who possess a spirit of cooperation and who readily and willingly extend their help to others. A pillar of iron sinks into water but if it is beaten by means of hammers and shaped into a ship. in that form it floats on water. The sadhus using their discourses as hammers beat their disciples, devotees, followers, shrāvaks and shrāvikas and shape them into ships which can cross the ocean of saṁsāra.
A sādhu is like an engineer because he builds life, creates spiritual propensities in human beings, renders them pure and sublime and ennobles them.
A sadhu is like an advocate because by means of his skill and intelligence he endeavours to release jivas (liv. ing beings who are imprisoned in saṁsāra).
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