Jain Center Minnesota MN 2007 07 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center Minnesota USA
Publisher: USA Jain Center Minnesota

Page 35

Priceless Philosophical Thoughts
(The original Gujarati poem "Bahu Punya Kera" written by Shrimad Rajchandraji, transliterated in English follows at the end of this article. The English meaning of this poem by Dinubhai M. Patel is given below on the basis of the book "Mokshamala Vivechan" prepared from the excellent and invaluable explanations delivered by the very respectable, Saintly Param Poojya Shri Brahmachariji, a religious authority at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Agas, India.)
Meaning of Poem
Stanza 1: Only when the soul in its cyclic life of births and deaths collects a heap of meritorious deeds, only when our sinful deeds are considerably reduced and our good deeds are considerably increased it takes this auspicious human birth in which it gets an opportunity to utilize this good human birth for realizing its own pure self and put every effort for perfect liberation of the soul that is, to attain 'Moksha'.
In Uttaradhyayana Sutra ten examples are given to show how difficult for the soul it is to obtain human birth. After obtaining human birth, the hearing of the teachings of great benefactors Saints, the rise of strong faith in those teachings heard and the strong desire to follow those teachings and adoption of the religious discipline advised therein - all these are one by one highly difficult to achieve.
If one feels the true value of human life, then he would not allow even a moment of his life to go a waste. At one moment he can get the correct understanding of the nature of Self, at another moment he can close the doors of entry of sinful deeds, at another moment he can burn the heap of his Karmas and detach his soul from them, at another moment he can achieve absolute knowledge of his Self -- all these moments are the best in human life.
Though one has luckily or fortunately obtained such an invaluable human birth, it is a regret to observe that not even one round of the cyclic rotation of births and deaths is set at naught by the soul. Therefore All Knowing Saints feel pity and sympathy for such souls who did not even try for their uplift. How can these rounds of rotation be reduced without attaining 'SAMYAK DARSHAN
Till getting right understanding, the soul moves round and round in the cyclic rotation of life and death, passing through four types of living beings - hellish, animal, human and divine. One's merits get reduced by enjoying human happiness as fruits of his merits like the water trickle. Why not think a moment on this point. Know that every moment you increase binding Karmas is really called Bhavamarana and it is harmful and dangerous for the soul.
Stanza 2: Even one becomes a rich man or a king what has he gained by sparing no time for his liberation? Even if he possesses a large family, what real greatness he achieves? One only increases his binding Karmas by acquiring wealth and authority or a large family and missing the precious opportunity to do some good to his soul. Oh! If you think even for a moment on these facts it will transform your life for good.
Stanza 3: All Knowing Wise saints show him the way how he can distinguish between real and illusory happiness and after having a clear idea of what is real happiness, he should try to obtain it by studying the relevant religious scriptures or by devotion to the All Knowing, faultless and Saintly unfettered Souls. Only this way one's soul possessing divine powers can secure freedom from the deadly fetters and can
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