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SPIRITUAL PURSUIT OF LORD MAHAVEER AND HIS MISSION
Manu Doshi, Chicago, IL
Pranihanti Kshanardhen Sämyamälambya Karma Tat head. The Lord used to stay so much absorbed in contemplating Yanna Hanyännarastivratapasä Janmakotibhihi
about the soul that he did not remain aware of other aspects incluHemchandrächärya
sive of the need for food and sleep or of the pain inflicted upon him. His concentration was thus more awe-inspiring than any other
aspect. That concentration & meditation helped him in overcom(Karmas, which cannot be destroyed by intense austerities for mil
ing all the defilements and ultimately led to the Self-realization. lions of lives, can be instantly destroyed by resorting to equanimity.)
The principal purpose of spiritual pursuit is to learn how to Even a casual reader of Lord Mahaveer's life can notice that he
remain unimpassioned spectator of whatever happens. For this had to face terrific pain and affliction during his spiritual pursuit.
purpose the Lord has laid down the Tripadi of Utpäd, Vyaya and During that period of twelve and a half year, he took food only on
Dhrouvya. It states that every matter, while maintaining its own 349 days, the remaining days he fasted. Once, he stayed without
nature, continually undergoes changes in its states. One state disfood for almost six months. We marvel at the capacity to remain
appears and another state arises. In other words, every state of the without food so long. Some people find it hard to believe that one
matter is impermanent. Meditation helps in realizing the impercan survive so long without food. It is, however, a fact that during
manence of every situation. One can actually experience that there 98-99 Sahajmuni fasted for one year at Bangalore. If he could do
is nothing, except the soul, which stays unaltered. Thereby he reit, there can not be any doubt about the ability of the Lord in
alizes the futility of indulging in craving or aversion towards any observing long fasts.
situation and learns to remain merely a spectator. This helps in The Lord could also overcome the need for sleep. Most of the maintaining equanimity in all the circumstances. time he did not sleep at all. Moreover he used to adopt very tough
Situations of happiness or unhappiness, prosperity or poverty, postures during his spiritual pursuit. We are awed by his capacity
City respect or disrespect arise as consequences of one's Karma. The to stay steadfast in such postures. There are other more significant
essence of spiritual pursuit lies in passing through such dualities aspects that go unnoticed. Do we ever try to understand what was
without any complaint or grumbling and in peacefully accepting the source of his capability and what he was doing during the
what happens from time to time. Acceptance of every situation fasts, particularly when he was avoiding sleep? Did he keep lying
with an unimpassioned mind without indulging in attachment or down during the fasts? Actually, he stayed alert and vigilant and
aversion is the Tap that effectively eradicates the bondage of Karma. used to meditate during that time. In other words, he was observ
It is the quickest way of gaining Nirjara. The Lord was observing ing Käusagga most of the time.
that Tap during the period of his spiritual pursuit. During that By Käusagga we generally understand reciting the required num- time he came across many occasions of adversities and affliction, ber of Navakärmantra or Logassa Sutra as fast as we can and then but he never tried to resist them. On the contrary, when Indra terminating it by uttering Namo Arihantänam. That is not the himself offered to protect him from the anticipated atrocities, the real implication of Kausagga. It actually requires giving up all the Lord declined to accept that offer. He knew that whatever was activities of the body as well as the mind and to contemplate about going to come was the result of his own Karma and he alone had the Self. We happen to have forgotten our true nature and the to bear the same. purpose of spiritual pursuit is to know the Self by resorting to
resorting to
Two
Two other aspects of the Lord's life that should attract our atmeditation. The importance of meditation seems to have been
tention are the fearlessness and the absence of desire. When he lost in Jain tradition and emphasis is mostly laid on fasts as a mode
renounced the worldly life, he not only gave up all the possessions of observing Tap. It should, however, be remembered that
and worldly connections, but also abjured every sort of desire. He Swadhyay, Dhyan and Käusagga are the highest types of Tap. Thatd
did not even care for the safety or the well being of the body. He Tap helps in making the aspirant aware of the self. One's weak
could therefore go to the woodland where the poisonous nesses and drawbacks get exposed in the light of awareness. As
Chandakaushik had his abode and was not scared or perturbed, they cannot bear such exposure, they start giving way. As such, the
even when the snake bit him. As such, it would not be hard to aspirant feels physically as well as mentally lightened and experi
understand how he could stay care free about the primary needs of ences the peace that arises from within. The Lord was observing
ving the body like food or sleep. His only aspiration was to seek Selfthat Tap during his spiritual pursuit.
realization and the body was merely an instrument to reach that Meditation involves concentration of mind. It is known that obiective. when one concentrates his mind on any matter, he does not re
Another important aspect of his life pertains to his staying unmain conscious of other events and happenings. He may even fail
clad. That uncladness is not an exclusively Digambar concept. to hear the striking of the clock that may be hanging just over his
8/JAIN DIGEST. FALL 2001 Jain Education Interational 2010_02
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