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200
JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
advancing on this path, he can ultimately become attachment-free. It is a common experience that in the company of a beautiful woman one experiences feeling of a special type, the sight of son or friend generates a feeling of affection and an unperturbed and calm monk causes experience of calmness and mental peace. The company of good inculcates good qualities; while that of the bad, bad qualities. Good company-good influence
Bad company - bad influence So saying goes."
164
Now imagine as to how beneficial the company of the attachment-free God (Arhanta/Siddha) can be. What does this company mean? His company means to recall Him in one's mind, to contemplate on Him, to praise Him and to worship Him. His constant and close company has purifying influence on the worshipper, with the result that the vicious feeling of attachment and aversion start subsiding. This is the prime and real fruit of worshipping God. He expects nothing from the worshipper, or does He favours him with something. The devotee worships Him simply to elevate himself spiritually. Making God an object of his worship and meditation, the devotee earns the proper fruit, viz., and internal purity."
165
One who goes near the fire is relieved of shivering pain due to cold simply on account of the nearness of fire. Fire does not call any person, nor does it give any fruit to anybody. Similarly, by the fire of meditation of Paramātmā (God) the cold of attachment by itself disappears and the fruit of spiritual development or internal purity is attained. Constant recalling of good qualities of Paramātmā (God) to mind removes mental impurities, causes the development of internal purity and leads the soul on the path of spiritual progress. The devotee attains this fruit by his own spiritually elevating efforts, and not by the grace of Paramātmā (God).
It is true that the person who passes his time in the company of a prostitute acquires bad desert. But who gives him bad desert. So
164 Jaina Philosophy and Religion,P.36
165
Ibid, P-36
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