Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 57

28 Resort to concentrated meditation for gaining control over the senses.
29 Do not feel afraid of even fatal distress.
30 Give up contact of females etc.
31 Purify the self by repentance.
32 Atone for all the faults at the time of death.
Each of the above disciplines is invaluable; those, who observe all of them, attain infinite happiness.
Lesson 73: Bliss of Liberation
There are a few physical and mental phenomena in the world that can be made out but cannot be described. Such phenomena are neither eternal nor are there involved multiple viewpoints, yet it is hard to come across analogies to express them. Since that is the case with worldly phenomena, how could it be possible to get analogy for expressing the bliss of liberation? When Gautamswämi therefore asked Lord Mahavir about the infinite bliss of liberation, the Lord replied, "Gautam, I know that bliss, but in absence of analogy it is hard to express it; there is nothing in the universe comparable to that bliss.' Then he had given the following illustration.
There was a tribe-man, who used to live in a forest area along with his wife and children. He had no idea of the urban life, its prosperity or the problems associated with it. A king once happened to come there while taking the horse ride. Being very thirsty he gestured the tribal to bring water. The latter gave cool water, with which the king quenched his thirst.
In order to reward the tribal for the valuable service the king took the man with him to the capital city. There he kept the man in the situations, which the latter had never come across. He highly enjoyed the fine palatial abode, canopied bed, servants at his command, tasty foods, soothing cool breeze, perfumed ointments etc. Moreover, the king used to send to him many types of diamonds, rubies, pearls, jewelry and other precious articles of various hues and colors for looking at. He also used to send the man for walk in parks and gardens. The king was thus providing him with all sorts of happiness.
One night while the man was in bed, he felt that he was badly missing his wife and children. Thereupon he left the place without taking anything with him. As he came home and saw his family members and others, they asked him, 'Where had you been?'
Man: In much happiness, I saw there many wonderful objects.
Relatives: Of what sort? Let us know.
Man: How can I say? There is nothing here comparable to that.
Relatives: How is it possible? How fine are these conch shells, seashells, oysters? Was there anything like that?
Man; No, no. There is nothing here comparable to that. Nothing here can be compared even to a hundredth or thousands part of that splendor.
Relatives: Then better stay without talking; you seem to be under illusion. What better can there be than these marvelous articles?