Jinamanjari 2001 04 No 23

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

Page 28

integrates all these factors in an unparallel manner.
We have already said that śrīmad's emphasis on the role of the sadguru in self-realization is mainly due to the influence of non-Jain religious literature on him. Although in the Jain tradition there are several references to the significance of the master-disciple-relationship for self-realization, it is not emphatically brought out. In non-Jain philosophical and religious traditions we get ample evidence in literatures where this relation becomes a cardinal point.
For example, there are many works in the Hindu tradition such as the Yogavasistha, the Bhagavadgītā, Gurugītā, Dāsabodha, etc. in which the master is supposed to enlighten his disciple by instructing in him the secret of self-realization. Even the literary form of composition such as a dialogue between the master and his disciple is very commonly found in this literature. We already know that śrīmad has studied this literature and recommended this also to his disciples. We have already seen that he labeled the non-Jain religious literature as upadeśa bodha and declared that by studying it the qualities of viveka and vairāgya can be developed among the aspirants and after purification of the mind, they may study the works of siddhānta bodha under the guidance of the self-realized and enlightened sadguru.
It is interesting to note that a few days before the composition of the Atmasiddhi, Srimad had sent a letter to Muni Lalluji in which he advised him to study a Gujarāti translation of the famous work Dasabodha written by the Hindu saint and poet, Śrī Rāmadāsa. This work is in the form of a dialogue between a sadguru and his disciple. There are chapters dealing with the nature of the relationship between sadguru-asadguru, satśisya-asatśisya, the importance of the sadguru, doubts raised by a disciple regarding the nature of the self and self-realization, the sadguru's reply to him, and after the removal of the doubts, the disciple's state of self-realization, his expression of gratitude towards the sadguru for his valuable guidance etc. In our opinion, śrīmad was influenced by the Dasabodha while composing the Atmasiddhi, the essence of which is the indispensible role of the sadguru in self-realization.
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