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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
17. HELPING OTHERS
DEAR CHARITABLE PEOPLE !
Lord Mahāvira, after having attained Keval jnāna (Perfect knowledge) began wandering from place to place preaching sermons and propogating his doctrines. Why did he do so ? Did he want to start a tradition? Did he want to increase the number of his disciples ? Did he desire for Fame? No, surely No. The only objective of his discourses was (Paropakāra) helping others, in their spiritual endeavours. He desired to disseminate the lofty truths he had discovered through years of concentration, meditation and contemplation so that all human beings
light achieve spiritual welfare. The composers of sūtras have written, “The Lord delivered discourses only out of his kindness and compassion for all living beings."
In the Hindu Shāstras, it is said that Lord Vishņu assumed ten incarnations only to help people. परोपकृतिकैवल्ये
तौलयित्वा जनार्दनः । गुर्वीमुपकृति मत्वा
वतारान् दशाग्रहीत् ॥ Paropakrutikaivalye
Toulayitvá Janardanah Gurvimupakrutim matva hyavatārān dashägrahit
-- Subhāshitaratnabhandāgāram “Lord Vishnu wieghed Paropakara (helping others) and Kaivalya (the state of absolute bliss) and found that benevolence was of greater weight and importance. Hence he incarnated himself ten times (to help people).”
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