________________
149
ČEGA « GAfERTrwy i supał wyazindua Tri: farmet gevantfeunk duft falfer gå råd: #221, A possessionless exalted Soul can confer the object, which cannot be obtained from the opulent god of wealth (Kubera). The waterless and very high mountain gives birth to a river, but no river comes out of an ocean (full of unlimited quantity of water.)
Thus the gifted and talented poets and Acharyas have sung the glory of Jinenara Deva. Now a question arises about the utility and propriety of praising Lord Jinendra, who is passionless and is not elated by high-sounding commendation. Furthermore He has exterminated the feeling of animosity, therefore censure is also ineffective. This point has been clarified by Acharya Samant Bhadra in his Svayambhu Stotra in these words.
न पूजयार्थ स्त्वयि वीतरागे । न निन्दया नाथ विवान्तरे । aunfq à qua-queqfadi: garfa fazi gftainÀT: 112011
O Lord, Thou art passionless, therefore Thy praises are of no avail. Thou hast cast aside animosity, hence censure has no meaning for Thee; still the rememberance of Thy virtues are beneficial for they purify the mind.
J
This explains the point that Jain prayer is meant for mental purification. This attitude is most rational and convincing. The ideal of the aspirant is self-purification, which is the royalroad for the attainment of Godhood.
