Mahavira Life and Philosophy

Author(s): Sumeruchand Diwakar Shastri
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 96

"! It is to be noted that nudity of the non-violent saints is not an end in itself, but it is a means to 'attain the bliss of Nirvana. Jain scriptures have strongly condemned that audity which is not adorDed with the highest type of noble and virtuous life. A monkey is naked, innumerable living souls remain paked; their nudity shor of sublime thoughts and purity of life will do no good to their struggling souls. That nudity is commendable which is resorted to for self-purification.
Dr. Sir M. B. Niyogi, Chief Justice of the Nagpur High Court, was much impressed by the noble and lofty character of a *Digamber Jain saint, Sri Sumatisagarji Maharaj. He, therefore, observed : "Nudity is the climax of self-sacrifice and self-purification. It is the triumphant conquest over the vices of greed, prejudice and other carnal desires. When a man renounces all his belongings and becomes fearless, then only he can discard the last symbol of this worldly attachment by embracing the cult of nudism. This is the highest stage, which every real sadhu aspires to attain in this life." (Leader, Allahabad 15-1-45).
*Jain Scriptures ordain that the oude saint must be pure and innocent like a child. The audity is called Tataroopta' HITETETI-like a child. The child is loved by all due to its purity of mind. It is said, "The disciples came to Jesus saying, who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven ? And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them." (Matthew-18: 1-2)