Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 47

description of pure soul, stages of elevation, worldly soul's transmigration, birth, levels and sublevels of existence, abodes of generation, space, time and its divisions is so minute that one can be sure of the founders' omniscience. Though omniscience and other types of knowledge are not noticed at present due to adversity of time, the principal tenets laid by the omniscient Lords are still intact. Some of those principles are so subtle that one's entire lifespan may not be enough to fully grasp even one of them. We are going to say more about it later on.
No living being gets even slightly afflicted by the tenets of omniscient Lords. Protection of every living being and manifestation of its innate capabilities lie inherent therein. By reading, understanding and deeply pondering over its divisions, one can enhance his spiritual capability and he would admit the utmost superiority of Jainism. A comparative study of all the religions and contemplation over the same at length will make this evident. This is not the place to discuss at length the fundamentals of that omni percipient faith and those of others.
Lesson 61: Concept of happiness, Part 1
A poor Brahmin, who was feeling sick of his poverty, thought of getting wealth by undertaking penance. Since he was learned, an idea occurred to him before starting the penance, 'If the deity that I worship is pleased with my penance, what type of happiness should I ask for in boon? If the mind is not clear at that time and if I ask for something inappropriate, my penance would go in vain.' As such, he decided first to move around the country and observe the abodes, wealth and happiness of the major entities.
Accordingly he started on a tour and saw the rich and prosperous places in India. He also managed to see the palaces, prosperity and happiness of royal households as well as the abodes, parks and gardens, family life and the management of wealthy people. His mind was not satisfied with any of them. He noticed that someone was undergoing unhappiness from ignorance, someone from separation of dear ones, someone from poverty, someone from worries relating to wealth, someone from physical ailment, someone from wife, someone from husband, someone from sons, someone from parents, someone from family, someone from foes, someone by lifeless approach, someone by loss of spouse, someone by low status, someone on account of love or jealousy, someone from loss or damage, and so on.
The Brahmin thus noticed one or more types of misery prevailing every where and he was not satisfied anywhere. Wherever he went, he noticed misery. Nowhere could he notice pure happiness. What to ask for in boon was thus a question. While thinking over the matter he learnt about the happiness of a very wealthy man of Dwärikä and reached there. He found the city prosperous, populous and laden with nice parks and gardens. While enquiring about the prosperous man the Brahmin arrived at his place.
The gentleman was sitting in the front. He respectfully received the Brahmin as a guest, enquired about his wellness and arranged for his meal. After a while he asked the guest to let him know the purpose of his visit, if he did not mind. The Brahmin asked for being excused and said that he would tell the purpose after looking at the wealth, abodes, parks, gardens etc. of the host. The gentleman could smell it a bit mysterious, but permitted the guest to do the way he felt inclined.
After taking the meal the Brahmin requested the host to show his residence etc. Thereupon the gentleman took the guest with him and showed his abodes, wealth, parks, gardens etc. The Brahmin could also see the host's wife and children, who received him well. He was pleased to notice their appearances, courtesy, cleanliness and sweet talks. Then he went to look at the management side of the host's business. About a hundred clients were seated there. They were also kind, courteous and gentle. The Brahmin was happy to see all that. He felt satisfied thereby and thought that his host was the happy man in the world.
Lesson 62: Concept of happiness, Part 2