Istopadesa The Golden Discourse

Author(s): Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp

Page 56

विपद्भवपदावर्ते पदिकेवातिवाह्यते । यावत्तावद्भवन्त्यन्याः प्रचुरा विपदः पुरः ॥
Verse 12
(12)
In a water-wheel used to hoist water, as one bucket is emptied many others are ready to be emptied; in the same way, in our worldly life, before we get over one misery, many more are ready to overtake us.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
Due to ignorance and consequent delusion we engender in our souls emotions of attachment and aversion. Attachment causes us to seek association of desirable objects, and aversion dissociation of undesirable ones. When desirable objects such as the son, the wife or the wealth are lost we are grieved. Contact of undesirable objects such as a foul or hostile environment causes us pain. On deprivation of desirable objects, we think repeatedly of regaining them and on association of undesirable objects, of getting rid of them. When there is pain caused by disease such as gout and rheumatism, we think continually about the means to subdue it, and get cured. Engrossing oneself in pleasures not attained is another kind of sorrowful thought activity. We also spoil our tranquility by causing injury to others, telling lies, stealing, and thoughts of safeguarding of wealth and other possessions. All the above mentioned thought activities are evil or inauspicious, cause sorrow, and extend transmigration.
The wrong believer is perennially beset with fear, a harbinger of worldly pain. Jaina texts classify fear (bhaya) into seven kinds (see
39