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28 THE DEVOTION FOR THE JIN AND THE SALUTATION
TO BE OFFERED TO THE SPIRITUAL HEAD
BHAGWAN ARIHANT Paramatma has bestowed countless benefactions upon us : (1) It is only on account of this reason that we have attained
the human state of existence, birth in noble families,
nobility and other merits; (2) In the same manner, we have to cross the ocean of Samsar
by adopting the path of salvation expounded by him; (3). We have also such austerities as Japa, Darshan and
worshipping etc., as endeavours to attain Moksha.
Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that we should render to the Arihant Bhagwan our devotion gratefully and should carry out such activities as Darshan (Seeing the Lord) and worshipping the Lord. In our everyday life, these activities should be a part and parcel of our daily routine. If food is placed in a plate before a man he would not go away merely after seeing the food. When that is so, how can we attain our objectives by merely seeing the Lord? We have also to worship him every day. In order to render devotion to him, you should spend something every day and it is necessary that we have to worship him with ghee-wicks incense, etc. Moreover, every day we should carry out some spiritual activities such as glorifying the Lord, adoring his lofty virtues, carrying out Japa, meditation, prayer etc.
A shravak must have this pride, “I am a Jain and so without rendering devotion to the supreme benefactor, namely, the Jin, I will not take my food”. The benefits accruing from such devotion shown to the Arihant are immense and immeasurable. You get the benefit of one Upavasavrata by merely entertaining the desire to visit the temple. King Kumarpal attained sway over 18 kingdoms by merely offering a few flowers. Nagaketu attained Keval Jnan, the highest knowledge while worshipping the Lord with flowers.
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