Handbook of Jainology

Author(s): Bhuvanbhanusuri
Publisher: Divya Darshan Trust

Page 59

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A Hand Book of Jainology
ness at another time. Then is there happiness or unhappiness in the objects definitely ? Can we say that there is happiness definitely in some objects and that there is sorrow definitely in some objects? It is correct to say so? No, we cannot say so.
Happiness is not a quality present in outward objects. It is a quality of the soul. It is a quality of character. We experience happiness when our minds are totally free from all worries; when our minds are totally free from all fears and when we are totally free from all internal agitations and agonies. We can experience happiness — real happiness, only when our minds and hearts and our inner selves are totally free from all agitations and when they are experiencing peace absorbed in a contemplation on the soul.
Dharma gives this kind of happiness. It brings about such a state of mind in us that when we are very hungry, we experience the greatest kind of happiness if we eat only dry bread. In the same manner, Dharmatmas (those who live according to Dharma) experience great happiness of the kind that great sadhus and sages experience even in the ordinary situations in Samsar. Apart from this, Dharma brings us such a lot of merit that we get health, progress, prosperity and the substances necessary for Dharma in this life; and we get later such blessed states as the state of human life or the state of heavenly existence. If we need happiness in this life and in the other world; then we have to adore Dharma. It has been said :
व्यसनशतगतानां क्लेशरोगातुराणां । मरणभयहतानां दुखशोकादितानां । जगतिबहुविधानां व्याकुलानांजनानां ।
शरणमशराणानां निप्यमेकोहिधर्म : ॥ A SUMMARY:
Dharma, is the only refuge in Samsar for those who are agitated by hundreds of agonies; for those who are agitated by sorrows and diseases; for those who are agitated by the fear of death; for those who are agonized by anguish; for various agitations; and for those who are without a refuge.