ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 367

misunderstood him that he was encroaching on their land. They hurled stones on him, beat with sticks but the lord was peaceful, silent and remained as it was in his penance. These people causing several injuries to the Lord were amazed at him and realized that he was a mendicant, paid obeisance to him and requested him to forgive them as they were ignorant. Realize, what world would have happened if the Lord had reacted upon. To face the situation calmly, one can turn tables even in great events.
There are several examples where ignoring the wrong doings of a person may help you, the person may feel ashamed and act wisely. Lord P rshva N th, as a child had angered a saint absorbed in his fire ritual by telling that he had offered a log in the fire which had the snake couple in it. He being annoyed by the child took out the log and while being opened, there came out the hissing couple of the snakes. The Lord recited to them the Namokar Mantra and the couple were born as Dharnendra and Padm vati in the heaven.
Now that saint Kamatha after his death became a God and one day while moving in air saw Lord Prshva N th in penance, threw stones at him, caused rain in torrents, caused fire thus created several hurdles. The Lord was protected by the erstwhile snake couple Dharnendra and Padm vati. But see the greatness of the Lord, he did not bother about Kamatha ignored him and had his meditation and forgave him.
Realize at the depth of your heart, what Lord Christ said when he was crucified. Such a noble compassionate Lord, milk of human kindness flowed from his heart. He prayed God for their well being as they were ignorant about their misdeeds. A rare example of forgiveness what a noble idea you are being killed by a person and you pray for his happy life.
See the greatness of Lord Krishna one day while he was sleeping in the jungle one man Jare thinking the man to be deer, shot his arrow and it hurt Lord Krishna. When he came nearby and saw the Lord, he became afraid and lay at his feet for forgiveness. Lord immediately forgave him and asked him to leave the place soon as Balram would not leave him when he comes. Jare touched his feet and ran away. It is the outcome of spontaneous flow of kindness from the heart of a righteous, virtuous, high souled person that the Lord forgave that person.
Supreme Humility (Uttama M rdava)
To shun pride and to keep our heart soft and tolerant is supreme humility. To discard the pride of race, family, power, wealth knowledge youth, and beauty and to be soft hearted humble, courteous and modest is the best.
Once Gandhiji went to see Rai Chand Bhai, the great philosopher and came to know that he was a shatavadhani i.e. can remember hundred things at a time after reading them and without seeing them again. Gandhiji was happy to see such a learned scholar and gave a paper on which something was written in English and French. After sometime Rai Chand Bhai repeated the same. It was a great surprise to Gandhiji but the greater surprise was that Raichand Bhai never showed any such thing as he was not proud of his scholarship. Such is the example of Mardava 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 Samyakdarshan- the right belief.
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Supreme Straight Forwardness (Uttama rjava)
Arjarva simple nature, away from fraud and deception and to lead straightforward life is Arjava. Ratnakar Suri in Panchavinshatika says that a sage called upon Lord Mah vra in his Sermon Assembley (Samavasharna) 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.
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0