Book Title: Introduction to Jainism and its Culture
Author(s): Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

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Page 25
________________ for specific pleasure gets fulfilled, it entails dissatisfaction and discontent. And these cause misery only. Sensual pleasures can never be permanent they are always momentary. The consequence of enjoyment is also misery. For sensual enjoyments the soul is dependent on sense organs. And what a dependence; sensual pleasures can be enjoyed only when the sense organs are in a favourable state; if not, it is impossible to enjoy even an iota of sensual pleasure. We can come to the right conclusion if we look at the feeling of bliss from another angle. In different conditions man finds pleasure in different things. The source of his pleasure is sometimes one particular thing, and at others a different one. This can be better understood with the help of examples. As infant a man finds pleasure in lying in the lap of his mother and suckling milk. He has no worries. Some years later that infant grows into a child. In childhood the source of his pleasure shifts from mother's lap and suckling to toys. He finds pleasure in playing with toys and other children of his age. When the child becomes a student his playthings and means of entertainment change. He enjoys passing with good marks and getting prizes. When he completes his education he starts thinking of business or career. Now the source of his joy shifts from studies and games to earning through business or employment. As soon as he starts earning his parents arrange for his marriage. Now his happiness lies in various marital and carnal pleasures with his wife. When a son is born the source of joy shifts from wife to son. He is exhilarated when he observes the playful and innocent activities of his son. His joy sees no bounds when he picks his son up and kisses him and tickles him and fondles him. With passage of time the source of his happiness once again shifts. Now the intensity of joy he used to derive from his home, wife, son and wealth is reduced. Now he hankers for social prestige and status. He feels that happiness lies only in prestige and status. When he gets that, he desires for publicity in newspapers and enjoys leading processions and being hailed. In his old age he finds joy in the playful laughter of his grandchildren. Considering that interest is dearer than principal amount, he lavishes affection on them. Thus we see and experience that source of a man's pleasure is ever changing. A thing that a person enjoyed once becomes a source of boredom at other times. The source of his enjoyment keeps on Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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