ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 542

Essence of the Bhagavati Sutra
Lord Mah vra gave equal importance to both, knowledge and action for emancipation13). Just as a bird needs two wings to fly, an aspirant should have both, knowledge and action, to be liberated from the shackles of birth and death. He says r dhana (accomplishment) should be of three essentials namely:
。 Knowledge
o Faith
Conduct
One who accomplishes the three can be liberated and relieved from the web of transmigration [4]. This inner journey of accomplishment sets in when one comes in contact with the saintly and self-realized souls. Thereupon the fruit of listening to the truth is revealed to be knowledge, from knowledge springs scientific spiritual discriminatory knowledge of the soul, and then the soul takes to renunciation and exercises self-control as a result of which the influx of karma is terminated. After this the soul takes to austere practices and annihilates the karmas and becomes perfect and accomplished. The Sutra which reveals the above is as follows [5];
Sava e evi a e, paccakkh e yasanjame a a haye tave ceva, vod ne akiriy siddhi
Through the above revelation we understand that Atman alone is Sat, i.e. real. To know it, to have faith in it is called "SatsA ga". Since time immemorial the soul has never come in association with itself, but has perpetually been in association with men, matter and money. The author of the Bhagavati Sutra through various topics and discussions has tried hard to drive the message that freedom from all this non-self, be it body, senses, mind, thoughts, etc., is real happiness. Jaina pathfinders stressed more on righteousness and virtuous conduct than miracles.
Although an aspirant or Yogi who progresses steadily on the path of liberation, acquires certain labdhis, riddhis and vidyas, (extra-ordinary powers) he has been cautioned not to exercise them for it will deviate him from the path of accomplishment. Man in his quest for happiness and perfection has searched the atom and researched almost on everything. In the universe, he soared the skies and measured the oceans and mountains, scientific and technological advancements have made the entire world look like a global village. He has invented one dreadful weapon after another and has virtually brought the world to the edge of destruction. This is in total contrast with what the ancient saints and seers practiced and preached.
In olden days they also have done research work, but the focus was on the subject and not on the object. Their research was subjective and spiritually oriented. Through spirituality they discovered the hidden truths inside them-selves, others and the universe. The Bhagavati Sutra records many incidents of soul power. It says that when the powers of the soul are awakened, it can cognize anything and everything in the universe, and all the secrets of the universe are unfolded [6]
Regarding demerit i.e. sin; the Bhagavati Sutra has made thought-provoking revelations. 1.8, 1.9, 12.2, 12.5 etc., of the text reveal that sin is what binds and burdens the soul, distorts the latent potential of happiness and freedom and deprives the soul of them. Sin is not determined by an activity, but by the attitude of an ignorant, unrealized soul steeped in delusion.
When Kalod i enquires why is the fruit of sin inauspicious, Lord Mah v ra is said to have revealed that when one consumes tasty food mixed with poison, the consequences are dreadful, so also sinful activities allure the soul but its consequences are inauspicious and sorrowful. On the other hand when one takes the food that is bitter and medicinal, he enjoys good health, although the taste is not fulfilling. So also all auspicious activities of merit i.e. pu ya seem to be difficult to accomplish but its fruit is auspicious",
Page 532 of 556
STUDY NOTES version 4.0