Jain Journal 1998 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 27

SHREYAS: LORD MAHÄVĪRA ON PRAMĀDA
The Lord had all along, in His preachings, laid the most stress on this one aspect of the sādhaka's conduct. In the tenth chapter of the Uttaradhyayana-sūtra are contained as many as thirtysix reasons, each addressed to Ganadhara Gautama, as to why pramāda, or the neglect of desirable action, ought to be avoided even for a samaya or the millionth part of a second. As believers of the faith, it will be worthwhile to ponder over a few of these reasons
1. The human life is like a ripe, withered, yellowed tree-leaf, that may fall at any time-meaning that the death may come at any time. Hence, O Gautama! avoid pramāda even for a samaya.3
2. The human life is like a dew-drop at the tip of a blade of grass, that may dry up at the break of dawn or may fall to the ground at any time. Hence, O Gautama! do not succumb to pramāda even for a millionth part of a second.*
3. Short as the life-span is, it is, again, threatened by many a threat. As you have to shed the bondages of your actions (karmic bondages) of the past in such a short life, O Gautama! do not entertain pramada even for a samaya.5
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4. (In the eternal cycle of life and death) for all the living beings, the Human life is very difficult to come by in a long time, and the fruits of karmas are very difficult to bear. Hence, O Gautama! do not let pramada overcome you even for a samaya.6
5. (With the passage of time) your body is weakening, your hair are greying, and your entire vitality is diminishing. Hence, O Gautama! do not indulge in pramada even for a samaya.? 7
6. Ailments such as fouling of body airs, wounds and eruptions, cholera and various other deadly diseases destroy your body
3. dumpattae panḍuyae jahā, nivaḍai rāigaṇāņa accae I
evam maṇuyāna jiviyam, samayam Goyama ! mā pamāyae II Uttaradhyayana-sutra, 10/1.
4. kusagge jaha osabindue, thovam citṭhai lambamānae I evaṁ maṇuyāṇa jiviyam, samayam Goyama ! mā pamāyae II Ibid., 10/2.
5. ii ittariyammi āue, jiviyae bahupaccavāyae I vihuṇāhi rayam pure kaḍam, samayaṁ Goyama! mā pamāyae II Ibid., 10/3.
6. dullahe khalu māņuse bhave, cirakālena vi savva-pāņinam I gāḍhā ya vivāga kammuņo, samayam Goyama! mā pamāyae II Ibid., 10/4.
7. parijūrai te sarirayam, kesā pāṇḍurayā havanti te I
se savvabale ya hayanti, samayam Goyama! mā pamāyae II Ibid., 10/26.