ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 294

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the example of Märdava Dharma. But in Mahabharata, the poet says a king should act according to the need of the time. He should be harsh and soft as the occasion demands. Such a king rules over happily and he thus protects his country.
It may be applied in case of a common man as well. The base of compassion lies in humility. Following humility one can reach the step of Samyakdarśana- the right belief.
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Supreme Straight Forwardness (Uttama Arjava)
Arjarva simple nature, away from fraud and deception and to lead straightforward life is Arjarva. Ratnakar Suri in Pañcavinsatikā says that a sage called upon Lord Mahāvīra in his Sermon Assembly (Samavasarana) and repented thus, I adopted sainthood to cheat the people and sermonized to attract people towards me and attained learning to grab their wealth by erudite knowledge. What I should say I repent now after seeing you in this assembly.
Now such a person can not be called a scholar. A person must be honest, free from duplicity, fraud and cheating, whatever may be his position.
In Padampurāṇa there is beautiful example of a crooked crane. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were going towards in the jungle during their exile period. Rama saw a crane standing on its feet with his neck down. Rama said Lakṣmaṇa to see that crane in deep meditation and looked like a great ascetic. But Lakṣmaṇa as he was quick witted and sharp told that the crane was in search of his prey and ready to attack his meal and thus he was cheating the innocent birds. See this beautiful saying, the crooked people have something in their minds, do something different and tell totally different from their actions but the righteous persons are different whatever they think, they do and whatever they act, they tell, "manasyekam vacasyekam karmanyekaṁ mahātmnaṁ.
Supreme Contentment (Uttama Saucha)
To be free from greed i.e. and internal insatiably or external purity is contentment. Greed breeds all sins. Greed has no limits and desire for more is insatiable and a man indulges in immoral and unethical activities for hoarding and grabbing things. Thus a greedy person commits his own downfall. Therefore one must stay away from greed.
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