Book Title: Jain Tattva Parichay
Author(s): Ujjwala D Shah
Publisher: Veetrag Vani Prakashak

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Page 17
________________ Letter 2 total will always be zero. If one starts anything on a wrong basis whatever follows will always be wrong. 'I am Atma' this should be my strong conviction. If I want to know who I really am i.e. the true nature of Myself or Atma in its purest form then I must know the true nature of the Ishwar or Paramatma. If I am mistaken in understanding the exact nature of the true God then I will also be misled in recognising the true nature of the pure soul. Therefore, it is very essential to know the true nature of God. Without that any number of prayers offered to God or recitation of hymns and meditations, reverence, worship or devotion will be of no use and will not carry any weight. You will understand this better by an example : Just like how we take the small child in front of the mirror and tell him, "Look this is you” or by showing him his photo we say "this is you !" In the same way when we stand in front of God we should think that he is the true reflection of my Atma i.e. my pure soul. In our Namokar Mantra urHTETT # we always offer our salutations to Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu. These are not any particular specific persons but these are different stages of spiritual developments which one attains as the inner purification takes place. It is similar to acquiring the positions of chief minister, president and ministers we have in the political system. We do not do Namaskar 746 ( respectful salutation ) to any particular individual. Arihant or Siddha means Ishwar or God. What is the parameter of God? What are the characteristics and qualities which determine as to whether any being is God ? It is very important to know this. It's like examining the purity of gold by testing it on a special stone used for determining its degree of purity. ( such as 18, 22 or 24 carats ). In the same way,in case of God total devoidance of all external and internal possessions and passions, i.e. Veetaragata and omniscience i.e. Sarvadnyata are the sole parameters. Arihantas are Veetaragi, Sarvadnya and also Hitopadeshi faluarit i.e. those who enlighten and show the path of salvation to all the living beings. Siddha Bhagwan are Veetaragi and Sarvadnya. As we have seen Veetaragi means one who is devoid of all passions and emotions. In the beginning these attachments, emotions and passions are very thick and strong. But as Veetaragata or the renounciation of all forms of bondage increases the intensity of the passions and emotions starts melting or diminishing gradually. They start

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