Jinamanjari 2001 04 No 23

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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philosophy of atmadharma and ātmasiddhi which fully blossoms in the composition of his famous work Atmasiddhi three years later. He does not refer much to non-Jain conception of the ultimate reality anymore and has obviously turned firmly to Jainism.
The literature belonging to this year is slim. But in Item No. 422 of the compilation Śrīmad Rajacandra he describes, possibly for the first time, the concepts of kriyājaḍa and śuṣka jñānī. The former blindly follows rituals externally and lacks in ātma dhyāna, while the latter only talks about ātman, without developing essential qualities such as tyāga, vairāgya etc., but does not realize it.
In a letter to Kṛṣṇadāsa Śrīmad boldly and openly declares himself to be a jñānī purușa, i.e. sadguru, who has realized his ātman and hence is capable of guiding disciples in this respect. Śrīmad asks Kṛṣṇadāsa to secure the benefit of his company and when this is not possible to reflect upon his preaching. In a letter to Sobhagyabhāī Lallubhāi, Śrīmad again seriously advises to follow him closely; because Śrīmad is now atma anubhavi jñānī purușa, or the all-knowing person who abides in the experience of the true self, just like a kevalin or a Tirthankara. Dharma resides in ātman.
Śrīmad is the person who has achieved self-realization (ātmatva prāpta puruṣa) and therefore the most capable master to guide others to self-realization. Hence, one should give up vices such as the obstinacy about one's own opinions (kadāgraha mat-matāntara), self-willedness (svacchandată) etc., and fully surrender to him as a devoted disciple. Jñānī puruṣas of the past are just like the distant milk ocean (kṣīra samudra), but Śrīmad is like a jar full of sweet water capable of quenching the thirst of all thirsty persons. The quintessence of Śrīmad's knowledge given to Sobhagyabhāī in this year may be summarized in one sentence: atma bhāvanā bhāvatā, jīva lahe kevala jñāna re. It means, by reflecting upon the pure self one may attain omniscience.
In 1894, Śrīmad expresses again his firm faith in Jainism. For example, while replying to one of Mahātmā Gāndhiji's questions regarding ārya dharma and the origination of Indian
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