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27
QUINT-ESSENCE OF DHARMA AS
PREACHED BY MAHÂVÎRA
Helen M. Johnson
(Religion is ever regarded as a mansion of bliss. It can trasform human personality and elevate its follower to noble heights. Its fourfold divisions—dana (liberty), sila (good conduct), tapa (penance) and bhavana (state of mind) are able to support creatures and protect them from bad conditions of existence. This fourfold Dharma, producing boundless fruit, must be observed with care by those who desire emancipation and to get rid of the cycle of births and deaths.
The present collection, Canto I, Chapter 1, Verses 146-201 are from Trisastisalakapurusacarita by Hemachandra which present to us galaxy of such fundamentals of true religion as enunciated by tirthankara Mahâvîra-Editor]
धर्मो मङ्गलमुत्कृष्टं, धर्मः स्वर्गाऽपवर्गदः। ETT: ARTIRISh rah:11919.1988 11
Dharma is the highest happiness. Dharma bestows heaven and emancipation. Dharma shows the road for crossing the wilderness of samsara.
धर्म मातेव पुष्णाति, धर्म पाति पितेव च। &TH: hea suna, ETH: Para pela 11919198011
Dharma nourishes like a mother, protects like a father, pleases like a friend and is loving like a kinsman.
धर्मः सङक्रमयत्युच्चैर्गुणान् गुरुरिवोज्ज्वलान्। ETT: Hocei fanta, ufcei a yefa 11919198511
Dharma imparts very fine qualities like a guru. Dharma confers a distinguished position like a master, Dharma is a mansion. of bliss.
