________________
CHAPTER-VIII
411
as Anuyoga Shastras. Therefore, it is not desirable to engage oneself too much in their study.
Question: If it be so, then why did Ganadhara Acharyas (chief preceptors) compose these Shastras?
Answer: Knowing the aforesaid somewhat purpose, these Shastras are composed. For example, a very rich man sometimes accumulates less useful things also but if a less wealthy person accumulates those things then his wealth is spent there, then by what means would he collect more useful things? Similarly, the sagacious persons like Ganadhara Acharya (chief preceptors), etc. may compose less useful books on medical science, etc. also but if a person with average intelligence engages himself in their study then his intellect gets involved in it; how could he then study the highly beneficial Shastras?
Further, if a person with feeble passions composes in mythology descriptions relating to adornment of body, etc., he does not become passionate but if a highly passionate person composes descriptions of such bodily adorment, etc. then he would certainly get involved in sinful bondage. Similarly, the feeble-passioned Ganadhara Acharyas etc. compose the books of medical science, etc., even then they do not become passionate, but if the highly passionate people engage themselves in their study then due to increased feelings of attachment, etc. passions they would get involved in the bondage of sinful karmas. Such is the nature of sermons in Jaina faith.
Removal of Misconjectures about Anuyogas (1) Removal of Misconjectures about Prathamaanuyoga
Many Jivas argue that in Prathamaanuyoga the descriptions are found in great measure about adornment of body, etc. and battles, etc. due to which attachment, etc. passions increase; therefore, such statement should not have been there and one should not listen to such narrations.
Answer: If a story is to be narrated, then all events should be described and if the narration is exaggerated by use of rhetoric, etc., even then the words of scholars are always logical. Further if you say that for correlating the reference to the context the general description would have been sufficient, why is the description exaggerated?
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
