Lord Mahavira Vol 01

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

Page 68

Thus Sayeth Lord Mahavira
59
backbiting, nor wretched, nor desirable to be eulogized by others, nor eulogizeth himself and hath no curiosity is, therefore, venerable.
He who accepteth little according to his need, though in a position to get much of bed, seat, food and drink and is content, considering contentment to be the principal virtue, is therefore, venerable.
Venerable is he who possesseth these virtues, not one who is devoid of them. Abandon sin and embrace there virtues. Know ye thy self by self, keep equanimity in love and hatred and be venerable.
He who vieweth all creatures as his own self and seeth them all alike and hath stopped all influx of karma and is self-restrained incurreth no sin. Of Living in Dharma
For those who are going down the stream of life and death, dharma is the only isle, a goal a refuge and an excellent shelter.
Therefore, look at the folly of the fool, who embraceth sin, giving up dharma. He will be born in hell.
And look at the wisdom of the wise, who embraceth dharma, giving up sin. He will be born in heaven.
He who buildeth his house on the road certainly do'eth an uncertain thing. He should think of lodging there where abideth everlasting joy.
Three traders went abroad each with capital. One of them made profit, and the second returned with his capital.
And the third of the traders returned having lost everything, even his capital. This is a parable taken from common life. Know ye this of dharma.
Capital is human life; profit is heaven; through the loss of that capital, he acquireth the passage to hell and animality.
As a wagon-driver who internationally leaveth off the smooth highway and runneth on a rugged road, repenteth when the axle breaks.
So the fool, who transgresseth dharma to embrace sin, repenteth at the time of his death over the broken axle of his life.
The days and nights that pass never return. They bear no fruit for him who in dharma abideth not.