Lord Mahavira Vol 01

Author(s): S C Rampuria
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute

Page 57

48
Right Conduct are the way to moksa-the final liberation.
To serve the preceptor and the aged, to keep aloof from the fools and intently to study the scriptures and to consider the texts and to live upto them is the way.
Lord Mahâvira
Therefore, should ye be humble and respectful to him from whom ye learneth the precepts, and with folded hands show him thy respect. Honour him thus in mind, speech and action.
He who is prompt and needs no express direction and always carries out devoutly what he is advised is a good pupil.
Understand ye, therefore, your preceptor's thoughts and words, and by words express thy assent and execute them in deed. Verily he showeth his poverty who showeth not his respect to his preceptor out of conceit, anger, deceit or carelessness. His learning leadeth him to his ruin as the fruit of a bamboo lead to its own destruction.
Suffereth he who is not humble, prospereth he who is meek. He who knoweth this receives proper training.
Of Humility
Empty is penance for the sake of fame though performed by men of noble birth, but meritorious is that of which nobody knows. Blow not thy own trumpet.
He who combateth vanities of knowledge, of penance, of caste and of good living, is wise and is of the right stuff.
So give ye up these vanities, and firm in dharma cultivate them not. Thus ye shall become a Great Soul which is above all castes and can realise the state of castelessness.
From the root grows the trunk and from the trunk branches shoot, from the branches grow the twigs and from the twigs the leaves. And then flowers blossom and the tree bears fruit and juice. Such is humility. It is the root dharma, and moksa is its juice. By humility, ye learn the scriptures quickly and attain fame and, in the end, liberation of thy soul.
Thou who are wise to love modesty, scriptures, penances and right conduct, conquer ye thy passions.
Of Self
To control self is unpalatable like a mouthful of sand and difficult like a walk along the edge of a sword.