Jaina Gazette 1927

Author(s): J L Jaini, Ajitprasad
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office

Page 13

THE JAINA GAZETTE
the Padarthas, the karmas and the various esoteric and exoteric practices calculated to annihilate the karmas, the eternal enemies of soul.
Few men doubt that there is a spirit in man: the real "[" in this body of flesh. This is Jiva and lives in all beings. Its chief characteristic is consciousness. The body that it inhabits, the sights that it sees and the phenomena of nature by which it is affected are all Ajiva. The consciousness of the soul is its first quality. It is through this that it comes into touch with a wholly alien substance, Ajiva, and being affected by it is inclined to identify itself with the pleasure or pain that this contact gives it. Thus the first step, that of Asarva, towards the soul's entanglement in the cycle to the peril and is actually pleased or pained by its touch with Ajiva, it comes under the influence of Bandha or bondage of karmas. Henceforth the karma-bound Jiva goes on in its ceaseless journey through existence after existence, till the light dawns on it and it is convinced that eternal rest and not eternal migration is its true portion in the world of reality. How to attain this rightful position then? Check the growth of karmas : so live and think that no new karmas are generated by your thought, deed or word. This is Samuara. Then set to work to pay old old debis. There is a number ot karmas still sticking to the soul and awaiting their full fruition belore they will finally release their hold of it. Their natural fruition is time-taking, therefore hasten it by Tapas (penance) and free yourselt from their bondage for ever. This is Nirjara the annihilation of old karmas. Rest not, persevere in the fight that you have undertaken against karmas. Bear the wounds and the hardships that the contest makes you suffer, but yield not an inch in your determination to kill them all, one by one, by faith in yourself and in your cause, by the vigour and reliance that your study has inspired in you, and by the ever-bright goal that shines pure and brilliant in the depths of eternity before your eyes, till the last one of them is no more, and, you, having removed the karmabarriers from your way, stand possessed of the keys to the innermost shrines of Beauty and Joy, Faith and Knowledge, Power
and Bliss. You have attained Mobsha, and all the knowledge and Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat