Moksha Marg Prakashak

Author(s): Todarmal Pandit
Publisher: Kundkund Kahan Digambar Jain Trust

Page 59

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MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
Further, those who are the firm believers of Jina-Dharma and whose intellect has been sharpened by listening to different Shastras and having known thoroughly well the differentia of Vyavahara (conventional) and Nishchaya (realistic) stand points, etc. whatever sermon they listen to grasp it correctly by knowing what it really means; and whenever a question arises they most humbly raise the question or by mutual discussion on different questions and answers take decision about the things, keep deeply engrossed in the study of scripture, have discarded censurable acts with religious attitude. - Such ought to be the listeners of Shastras.
Special Characteristics of the Listeners (of Jaina-Shastras)
If a listener possesses some knowledge of grammar, logic and of voluminous Jaina Shastras, then the listenership is praiseworthy. And even if there be such a listener but be devoid of Atma-Jnana (self-knowledge) he can not understsand the gist of the sermons. Therefore, the one who has tasted (the blissful nature of) the selfsoul through self-realisation, he is the real listener of the mystery of Jina-Dharma. Further, the one who possesses extraordinary intellectual power or the clairvoyance, telepathy knowledges, then he is to be known as an excellent listener. Such are the special qualities of the listeners. Such should be the listeners of the Jina-Shatras.
Moreover, those who listen to Shastras believing that listening to Shastras will be beneficial to them but due to weakness of knowledge do not understand much, to them Punya-Bandha (bondage of auspicious karmas) occurs, but the specific purpose can not be achieved. And those who listen to Shastras either by family-tradition or customarily or incidently or simply listen but do not retain any thing, so according to their thoughts and feelings, sometimes Punya-Bandha (auspicious bondage) or sometimes Papa Bandha (inauspicious bondage) is caused to them. And those who listen to Shastras with pride or jealousy or whose intention is only of arguing and those who listen to Shastras simply for being called the great person or for the sake of fulfilling some greed, etc. or those who listen to Shastras but do not like it - to such listeners the Papa-Bandha alone is caused. Such are the various traits of listeners. Similarly, it