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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
167
4. Akasmātbhaya : fearing accidents. 5. Vedanābhaya : fear of being pestered. 6. Fear of death. 7. Ashlokabhaya (fear of disgrace, disrepule, shame etc.)
How far is it proper to experience fear? The following stanza contains an answer to this question : तावद् भयेषु भेतव्यम्
यावद् भयमनागतम् । आगतं तु भयं दृष्ट्वा प्रहर्तव्यमशंकया ॥
144alfa:
Tavad bhayeshuhetavyam
ravad bhayamanāgatan Āgatan tu bhayam drustvā
Prahartavyamashankayā-Chanakyanitih “It is proper to fear an object of danger until it does not approach us (we should be thinking of warding off the danger). But fear from the confrontation with danger should be destroyed without a doubt.”
Noble people are always fearless because they are not guilty of fraud, deception or manipulation etc. It has been said, “The lives of noble men are like open books and they do not fear anything." People can learn the lesson of fearlessness from that open book of the life of noble people, Those who are fearless, desire to see fearlessness in others; therefore they are happy in carrying out the activities of their life. As opposed to such people, there are cowards. They always entertain various fears and they also fill others with such fears. Like people afflicted with some contagious disease, they keep spreading fear cverywhere, Safety lies in keeping away from such people. In the Prashna-vyākarana sūtra Lord Mahāvir has given this commandment. “Do not fear anything. Fear Soon surrounds those who fear." Fear crowds around cowards. Therefore we should be fearless in doing our duties.
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