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Jaina Philosophy and Religion
ated in us auspicious spiritual attraction towards it; this attraction is called devotion. Thus devotion necessarily implies the knowledge of the special nature of the object of devotion as also the knowledge or conviction: My company of or association with it will cause my uplift and progress'. Knowledge constitutes the basis of devotion. What is devotion without knowledge? Devotion originates depending on knowledge. The place of devotion in knowledge is on par with that of sugar in milk. As soon as sugar is mixed with milk, the latter becomes a sweet substance. Similarly, as soon as devotion is associated with knowledge, the latter becomes an extraordinary thing. When, on account of the knowledge of the speciality of the object of devotion, there arises spiritually wholesome attraction or auspicious feeling of devotion towards it, then it can be said that devotion is associated with knowledge. Thus when knowledge is associated with devotion, it becomes a spiritually wholesome mixture.
It is easily understandable that man follows the person whom he is greatly devoted to. Not only that but he gets absorbed in him, obeys his commands, walks on his path and wholeheartedly surrenders himself to him. It is quite natural that a devotee earnestly desires and tries to become like him whom he is devoted to. He strictly follows in his foot-steps. He makes great efforts to become as good as he is in qualities, character and actions. Self-surrender to him is not the result of knowledge alone; it is the result of devotion conjoined with knowledge. Thus devotion associated with knowledge or knowledge embellished with devotion moulds our actions (character or conduct).
In this way, knowledge (jñāna), devotion (bhakti) and action (karmaall the three together, fused with one another, form the uncommon and exclusive path of Highest Good and Supreme Welfare.
In the world, the mother is regarded as the most affectionate person. In her presence, the child babbles, and indulging in babblings it experiences the matchless joy of the mother's affection. Similarly, before God a devotee prattles and acts like a simple, innocent child, and thereby enjoys the pure, dovotional, spiritual sentiment of love. Thus he makes the path of purifying his life and conduct very easy. How can his impure
1. The trio of jñāna (knowledge), darśana (faith in or love of truth) and caritra (con
duct), well-known in the Jaina philosophy, is identical with that of jñana, bhakti and karma. Darśana and bhakti are interchangeable terms. And caritra and karma mean the same thing.
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