Book Title: Jain Legend Vol 2
Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana
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In the first half of the fifth S tra of Jt dharma Kath mga, it is illustrated that Mah bala attained Str - N ma Karma, where as in the second part, it is clearly stated that he attained T rthamkara N ma Karma by incessant practice of twenty reflections. From this it is evident that after taking the vow of self restraint (Samyama), in the initial phase of the practice of spiritual-exertion (s dhan ), he first acquired Str N ma karma. Later on, while progressing further in the practice of spiritual purification, he had attained T rthamkara N ma Karma by the incessant practice of the twenty causes / reflections.
This is well-founded fact because of the very reason that it was clearly written in the original scriptures which have been always considered as the most authentic ones. The second reason is that the spiritual-exertion, by which Mah bala attained T rthamkara N ma Karma, was an exemplary one. It has been described that it is possible for a spiritual-practitioner (s dhaka) to attain T rthamkara N ma Gotra Karma by incessant practice of just any one of the twenty causes mentioned in the scriptures. Inspite of his ardent practice of all the twenty reflections, to say that by the slight mistake his Samyaktva got polluted does not seem to be logical or correct. From these facts, it can be concluded that monk Mah bala had attained Str N ma Karma before attaining Trthamkara N ma Karma.
Doubt 5:
In the fifth and the last doubt, it was mentioned that the Lord Ari anemi himself revealed during his religious congregation (Samavasara a) actual identities of the six monks, who came in three pairs, to Devak for alms. But according to the reference cited in the first part of “Caupanna Mah purisa Cariyam”, it is apparent that the six monks themselves revealed their identities to Devak and this scriptural opinion was mentioned in a foot note. Does it not imply that the scriptural text was given secondary importance?
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