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Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Swarūpa
143 The associate's status in Jainism is unique. He is blessed by the goddess of learning. He is the propagator of the scriptural lore. His austerity redounds to his spiritual riches. Administrator :
He assists the head of the Order ably and impartially. He looks after all activities of the organization. All ascetics, as a rule are interested in their spiritual well-being, but no two noses are similar. One may be inclined to observe penance, while others may have an innate predeliction for knowledge. He studies the aptitude of each and every aspirant and guides them all according to their capacity. Some, in their youthful fervour, attempt to do the impossible. The administrator takes them away from their illconceived ventures and engages them in healthy pursuits of which they should be capable. He tests their perseverance, patience, irresistible desire to reach the goal which can be attained but by a few. His sincere attempt is to help all make their latent ability become patent. Vyavahārabhāsya says that he who can establish spiritual aspirants in developing right vision, knowledge and conduct deserves this post and not he who is self-centred and indifferent to others. He is pravartaka, because his function is to engage some in one field and disengage others from their daredevilry. Sthavira :
Etymologically it means an old person, but age is not the only consideration. Those whose knowledge of the scriptures is unquestioned are also Sthaviras. These who are senior mendicants are equally so. He who has completed two decades of monkhood without any blemish is known as a 'Paryāyasthavira.'
The essential purport of the word is steadiness. He who is ever steady, can very well retrieve the unsteady. The path of penance is beset with difficulties which threaten some aspirants. When some fic-le-minded mendicants seem to go astray because of their being allured by sensual pleasures, it is the benevolent administrator who brings them round affectionately by telling them the good and bad of both worlds. The life of ascetics is harder but much more blissful than that of the materialists. When an ascetic, even though robust, seems to be vacillating, it is the Sthavira who inculcates in him the need of being detached. Because of his innate goodness whatever he speaks has an immediate impact on those who actually need such succour. What seems pleasing never satisfies. What really delightfully enthuses is certainly peace-giving. A tension-free life can be ensured only by treading on the right tract. The Sthavira has been equated only with God not because of his position in the organization but because of his unquestioned piety and his unwavering righteousness. He has been called a pontiff, because of his mastery of scriptures. The Sanskrit word 'Ganadhara' means not only the head of a large group but also possessor of
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