Istopadesa The Golden Discourse

Author(s): Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp

Page 78

Verse 20
इतश्चिन्तामणिर्दिव्य इतः पिण्याकखण्डकम् । ध्यानेन चेदभे लभ्ये क्वाद्रियन्तां विवेकिनः ॥
(20)
One can obtain either the divine, wish-fulfilling jewel (cintāmaņi) or the pieces of oilcake (khalī) through the power of meditation; which of these will a man of discrimination wish for?
EXPLANATORY NOTES
Concentration of thought on one particular object is meditation (dhyāna). In other words, checking the ramblings of the mind is meditation. Thought is characterized by throbbing or quivering, as it embraces several objects. Concentration is turning the thought away from several objects and fixing it on one.
There are four types of meditation: (1) the sorrowful (ārta), (2) the cruel (raudra), (3) the virtuous (dharmya), and (4) the pure (śukla). These four types of meditation are divided into two classes, inauspicious and auspicious. The former two are inauspicious as these lead to the influx of evil karmas and, therefore, causes of transmigration. The latter two are auspicious as these are capable of destroying karmas and lead to liberation.
Sorrowful concentration consists in thinking again and again for removal from proximity disagreeable objects like an enemy; for regaining the lost agreeable objects like wealth; for removal of the pain caused such as by a disease; and enjoyment in future of pleasures not attained.
Cruel concentration consists in thinking again and again of
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