________________
gain infinite happiness. It has been adorned by adding brief life sketches of great men. Let that serve as the mouthpiece of the learned ones.
1887
Author
EXTRACTS ABOUT MOKSHAMÄLÄ FROM SHRIMAD'S LETTERS
We had composed Mokshamälä within three days at the age of 16 years and 5 months. The lesson number 67 was blurred by ink-spill and had to be written afresh. The poem 'Bahu Punya Kerä Punjathi' dealing with invaluable philosophical contemplation was inserted in that place.
In that book I have tried to precisely indicate the path of Jainism. It contains nothing beyond what has been said by the omniscient Lords. It has been presented in the form of instructive lessons so that everyone, a child to the aged, might be inclined to learn the path of detached Lords, to comprehend it in true form and to implant its seed within. That style and teaching would be illustrative to others. The Prajnävabodh part (Instructions for matures) is different and that will be undertaken by someone.
There was delay in printing it. Bhävanäbodh was therefore composed and given as bonus to the customers (who had enrolled themselves in advance) in order to overcome their impatience.
(From Updeshnondh 7)
Morbi
Chaitra Vad 11 Samvat 1955 (About April 1899)
If you think of changing some words in Mokshamälä or changing some sentence in any context, you are free to do so. You can write introduction, if you like, but forget about presenting my biography.
While writing introduction, keep in mind that the readers should be induced to forget the minor sectarian differences and be prompted to think about the superb religion in the form of true nature of the enlightened.
(From letter No. 921)
Vavänia
Vaishäkh Vad 9 Samvat 1956 (About May 1900)
We have written the lessons of Mokshamälä proportionately and according to measurement. At the time of new edition do whatever you feel happy with. It is not necessary to underline the sentences as has been done in a few cases. We should not try to direct the attention of the readers towards our views; let them form their own opinions. Judgment should be left to the readers, we should not drag their attention towards our views and prevent them from forming the opinions that naturally arise to them.
(From Updeshnondh 24)
Wadhwän Camp (Surendranagar)
Bhädrapad Vad Samvat 1956 (August-September 1900)
TEACHING THE BOOK AND ITS PRESENTATION
This is the book for sowing the seed of Syädväd, (Theory of relative perspective). In all humility I can state that it would be able to generate eagerness for studying the philosophy. My main recommendation to the students and to the readers is that instead of memorizing its lessons, they should contemplate over the same and get to the essence. Those, who do not have the ability to understand, should try to understand with the help from knowledgeable persons or monks. If that facility is not available, they should read the lessons
