Pravachansara

Author(s): Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp Printers

Page 31

Preface
pure-soul by renouncing all volitions. Overpowering his senses through the fire of concentration, he enters the soul within and contemplates on the self, through the medium of the self.
He meditates on the pure, effulgent state of his soul through the instrument of his soul imbued with the Three Jewels (ratnatraya) of the path to liberation. Established firmly in self-identity, he does not speak while speaking, does not walk while walking, and does not see while seeing. He does not deliberate for long on any task inimical to soulknowledge. If due to any reason he must undertake some activity of speech and body, he performs it with indifference. He experiences discontent in external sense-objects and happiness in contemplation of the soul-nature. He reckons that no substance other than the soul is potent enough to either assist or obstruct the functioning of his soul. He has built a shield around his soul to protect it from all extraneous influences. He purifies his soul by the knowledge of the soul.
Tranquil and discerning, he is ever engaged in concentration, and study of the Scripture - the sure means to savour the nectar found in own soul. It is said that the study of the Scripture bears the fruit of meditation and subjugation of the senses and passions. This explains his utter inclination toward the study of the Scripture.
Acārya Vidyānanda has showered on me his auspicious blessings whenever I took up any project involving work on the Holy Scripture. His auspicious blessings have had wondrous effect in making both, the process as well as the end-result, most gratifying. I make obeisance humble, by bowing my head, to Acarya Vidyānanda.
ācārya Prajñasāgara (आचार्य प्रज्ञसागर )
Aware that Acārya Prajñasāgara is a learned digambara ascetic and an authority on Prakrit language, I requested him to bless me by proofreading the present work. He immediately and joyfully acceded to my request. I was certain that since I have meticulously read the manuscript many times over, there would hardly be any major errors. He proved me wrong.
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