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ਵੀ ਡੀ ਵੀ ਡੀ ਵੀ
ਡੀ ਈ ਡੀ
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JAINA CONVENTION 2017
Vinay-The Starting Point
of Dharma
Pujya Gurudev Shree Namramuni Maharaj Saheb
We have been doing Dharma since years, Samayik, Pratikraman, Tapasya, Pravachan and several other Dharmik activities. And yet, if someone were to ask us today, what is it that we have achieved from Dharma? Has Dharma brought about a pivotal change in our life? Probably not. While Dharma is a part of our life, it has changed little in the way we think, the way we live and the way we are as people. Why is it that even after practicing Dharma for years and years, we haven't seen a significant transformation?
Bhagwan Mahavir explains that for any tree to bear fruit, it must first have strong and deep roots that supply it with the right nutrients it needs for its growth. When roots are deep and firm inside the soil, the tree can regrow even if transplanted from one bed of soil to another. Weak roots however fail to sustain even in fertile soil. The objective of Dharma is to purify our thoughts, purify our actions and ultimately experience who we truly are. The one who has this goal of inner attainment essentially needs to first nurture the roots of Vinay, a feeling of utmost reverence towards our Dev, Guru and Dharma.
For years, we have learnt that Vinay or respect is expressed when we join our hands bow down in surrender, when we touch the feet of Sadhu-Sadhvijis and ask them 'Sahebji shata ma chho?' While these are indeed a mark of respect, the real essence of Vinay is when we bow down from within. Our every thought, every opinion, every judgement that we make should dissolves and our entire existence becomes zero in the process. Vinay is not just an expression of the body, but a strong emotion that arouses from the heart, and transforms our soul in ways beyond our imagination. Be it discourses or satsangs, Sadguru darshan or any Dharmik activity, we have always done everything as per our wish, our desire. That which destroys all our desires, that which wins over our constant craving to act as per will is Vinay bhaav.
How does one develop this Vinay bhaav, and how can we inculcate it in our lives? The moment we start looking up to the virtues of Parmatma and Sadguru, when we start developing a deep affection and admiration for their qualities, we start aspiring to be like them. This urge to imbibe the virtues of Parmatma and Sadguru is the first step towards developing Vinay Bhaav. The stronger our admiration becomes, we start looking for ways in which we can be of some service to their holiness - the feeling of offering selfless Seva. Seva further accelerates our devotion and our respect. And the seva which is done with such selflessness attacks our ego, slowly and steadily diminishing it.
