Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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Mahābhārata says, "Greed is monstrous alligator and leads a man towards sin" -Eko lobho mahāgraho lobhita papāni pravartate).
There is no power on earth that can a save a greedy from his down fall. Mental faculty away from avarice and greed is the right path for solace and serenity otherwise a man goes downwards decay. External purity in absence of internal purity is hollow.
Even if one takes bath in holy river Ganges, Puşkara and at famous tīrtha places (religious places), it will not make him pure if he is greedy (Gangāsāgarapuşakaradişu, sada tirtheşu sarvesvapi snātasyapi na jāyate prayo viśuddhipara).
See what Lord Krşna says about the purity of a person. One day Pandavas approached Lord Krşna and requested him to accompany them to the Ganges for a bath. In spite of repeated requests, Lord Krşna refused but on being insisted the Lord gave his hollowed gourd (Tumbi) as his representative. When the people at the Ganges came to know that this Tumbi belonged to the Lord, they touched it, prayed before it, thinking it to be Lord Krşna itself. When the Pāndavas came back and told the Lord that his Tumbi had been bathed thousand times by the people. The Lord was amazed, he got cut into pieces and gave to the people to eat it but lo! Everyone felt uneasy, had vomiting and felt uneasy because its inner part of it had rotten. Now the Lord told them to realize that external bath would not make you great. Internal purity is a must. So we must be true to ourselves away from the greed, fraud and dishonesty. Internal purity is important in stead of physical embellishment, which reduces greed and inspires for righteousness.
Supreme Truth (Uttama Satya) Truth means fearless description of what one sees, hears or feels. Once a person tells a lie, he has to utter numerous lies to support his first false statement. Such a person is afraid and his wisdom is shattered and wavering. But one who takes the true course is afraid of none. He is free from worry and is full of self-confidence. Truth should be attractive and beneficial.
Unpleasant truth for the benefit of others is good but pleasant truth for the harm of others is bad. Sometimes, when from speaking the truth, there is fear of violence, better to lie is desirable. Wherever truth appears unpleasant, it should be explained in such a way that it appears pleasant and he does not take it otherwise.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
