Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 62

Vedäntic books as well as the compositions and commentaries of Yogdarshan like "Patanjal Yogdarshan', Atmapurän' etc. have expressed esteem for the disillusioned state of realization by using the terms like Samyagdarshan, Samyagdrishti etc. According to Jaindarshan the religion or spiritual activity begins from Samyagdarshan (the right perception). The scriptures clearly stipulate that wandering in birth and death cannot come to the end without Samyagdarshan. Its unprecedented importance has been shown in Samaysär and other books. Devchandji Maharaj has said:
'Samakit Navi Lahun Re, E To Roolyo Chaturgati Mänhe'
One, who has not gained the right perception, roams in the four states of existence.
Upadhyay Yashovijayji also writes:
Jahän Lage Atamdravyanun Laxan Navi Jänyun; Tihän Lage Gunthänun Bhalun Kem Ave Tänyun. Atam Tattva Vichäie.
So long as the characteristic of soul is not known, how can one rise on the ladder of elevation? Let us ponder over the nature of soul.
The devoted poet Narsingh Mehtä also states in a morning prayer:
Jyän Lagi ÄtamäTattva Chinyo Nahin, Tyän Lagi Sadhana Sarva Joothi
So long as one does not make out the essence of soul, all his pursuits are in vain.'
Very rare, highly lucky persons can gain right perception or attain the state of self-realization. The scriptures loudly convey that the infernal abode equipped with right perception is preferable, but the topmost happiness of the heavenly abode without that perception is of no avail. That is like the bath of an elephant. It is a matter of principle that one, who experiences the right perception even for a moment, surely attains liberation. All the attributes of soul are manifested by the rise of right perception. In other words, the path of liberation is laid bare in the form of right perception, right knowledge and right character. However much may be the knowledge, conduct or faith, in absence of right perception they turn out to be wrong perception, wrong knowledge and wrong character. They therefore do not lead to the end of worldly wandering.
Ächäräng Sutra states: Jam Samanti Päsah Tam Monanti Päsah.' It means, "Monasticism exists where there is right perception or self-realization.
During 1890 Shrimad has written in his diary: "How did your contact occur this way? Where had you been abiding? Right perception means all the attributes in part."
By the end of the same year, he writes in a letter, "No doubt, this soul has gained enlightenment. It is the everlasting truth that the knot has been disentangled. All the enlightened have accepted
Moreover, he notes in the diary, "Oh right perception, the abode of the highest happiness, accept my obeisance to you with intense devotion. The infinite souls in this ongoing worldly life have been facing the infinite misery in absence of your resort. By your grace I became inclined towards the pure nature of Self, obtained conviction of the supreme detachment, and got on the path of gratitude.
In an autobiographical poem he writes:
Oh, welcome is the day, that kindled the unprecedented tranquility: With the rise of stream after ten years, gone is the dominance of the operative Karma.