Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 13

Truth-seeker: Do you think that they would grant liberation to the worshippers ?
Satya: The omniscient Lords are detached and undefiled. They are not going to reward us for our praise or despise. We have to exercise unique endeavor for removing the ignorance and the delusion arising out of the bondage of Karma. From the absolute point of view, the state of omniscient and omni-percipient Lords constitutes the real accomplishment of soul. Contemplating over that state gives the vigor to undertake the endeavor and leads to disaffection for defiling instincts. That in turn leads to eradication of Karma and confers quietude. As holding of a sword leads to boldness and taking of hemp-drink leads to intoxication, contemplating over the attributes of Lords helps the soul in ascending over the ladder of spiritual elevation. As a mirror in hand helps in looking at the face, the mirror of contemplation helps in understanding the Self.
Lesson 14: Worshipping the Omniscient Lords, Part 2
Truth-seeker: Friend Satya, since all the Lords, who have attained the state of liberation, are worshipful, is it necessary to worship any of them by name?
Satya: Yes, it is necessary. The concept of true nature that may arise by contemplating over the state of innumerable liberated Lords is, of course, worthwhile, but it is necessary to think how they attained that state. That contemplation would give the idea of their acute austerity, high level of detachment, infinite compassion, concentration etc. Adoring them by the names that they bore during the life of omniscience would help in bringing forth their pure character at heart, and that would give rise to purified conduct and pious character within. That is very beneficial. For instance, by adoring Lord Mahavir by name it would be possible to recollect who he was, when he lived, how he attained liberation and so on. Thereby detachment, discernment and other attributes would arise within us.
Truth-seeker: But Logassa Sutra specifies the names of all twenty four Lords; what is the purpose thereof?
Satya: Recalling the names and characters of twenty four Lords, who lived during this period of time-cycle in Bharat Kshetra (India) helps in comprehending the essence of their lives. The character of the detached invariably points towards detachment. Names of the infinite number of liberated Lords of all the times are implicit in the state of twenty four Lords. By recalling their lifetime one can gain the concept of subtle time factor. As we recall their names at present, the Lords of other times automatically get recalled. Recalling the name of a particular Lord is not of significance. The main purpose is to recall the names of the Lords that existed in the present time-cycle so as to remember their attributes and the endeavor undertaken by them. From the history of their lives it is possible to know about their births, moving around, instructions etc. Our soul gets illuminated thereby. As a snake wakes up on hearing the tune of a flute, so does the soul wake up from the sleep of delusion by listening to its true state of purity.
Truth-seeker: You have given me the sound reason for undertaking devotion to the omniscient Lords. The doubts, which had arisen in my mind about such devotion by virtue of the modern education, have vanished. I admit that it is essential to resort to devotion towards the omniscient Lords.
Satya: The benefit arising from devotion to the Lords is incomparable. We should stay devoted to the Lords on account of their obligation upon us. I have told you to the best of my ability about the benefits that arise by virtue of recalling their endeavor etc. Let that be helpful to other truth-seekers also.
Lesson 15: Message of devotion