Jainism Some Essays

Author(s): A S Gopani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 90

Bhaktimaârga and Jainism
[ 83
"प्रथम देव अरिहंत सुश्रुत सिद्धांत जू । गुरु निरग्रन्थ महन्त मुक्तिपुर पंथ जू ।। तीन रतन जगमांहि सो ये भवि ध्याइये । तिनकी भक्ति प्रसाद परमपद पाइये ।।"
(fpaanonteine, go 58)
This element of divine favour is also seen in Bhaktamara stotra and Kalyānamandirastota which are daily recited by the devout Jaina layman.
(3) Disparity seen in Salvation also. According to the non-Jaipa cult of devotion, a servants' attitude persists in an emancipated stage also. There is equality between God and an emancipated devotee because both are Brahma. However, God is God and the emancipated devotee still continues to be his servant, even in emancipation. Jaina view is just the opposite. According to it all the liberated beings are equal. There is no distinction whatsoever. Inspite of the postulate of Jaina Philosophy being this, some Jaina Acāryas have expressed a fervent desire that in their every birth they be put in circumstances which inspire them to pass their lives in praying and worshipping the Tirthankaras. Really speaking, emancipation, not devotion, should have been the refrain of their prayers. It is because of this that some devout Jaina poets have sung to this length only that they may preserve the attitude of devotion until they have got absolution. One poet has clearly said " 799930) fez ! aa aari" "by seeing you only, I have become the object of veneration for the whole universe" "(feta arotene, p. 22)”.
(4) God is the shelter of all beings God is the only help or hope or helter. This also is one of the Jicta of the devotionists. This is described as Prapatti (Surrender). There are two ways of self-realization. One is that of one's own effort. This is illustrated by the example of the monkey's kid which clings to the mother and does not loosen its hold on its mother. Here the effort is solely the kit's. The other is that of the other's effort. This is illustrated by the example of the cat which catches its kitten by the mouth and does not allow it to slip from the mouth. Here the effort is that of the cat not of the kitten. The devotionists have adopted the second alternative. He seeks his shelter by total dedication. God himself liberates his devotees by His sweet will. Nothing remains to be done by a devotee who is possessed by an entire devotional fervour. God comes to his rescue and releases him. That is all.