Rajendrasuri Janma Sardh Shatabdi Granth

Author(s): Premsinh Rathod
Publisher: Rajendrasuri Jain Navyuvak Parishad Mohankheda

Page 596

Kavyas, dutakavyas, samasyapuraka-Kavyas, dvisamdhana and saptasamdhanakavyas, puranas, grammear, works on rhetorics, kathas, akhyayikas, dramas, caritas, prabandhagranthas, scientific literature on astronomy, astrology, prosody, didacotic literature, commentaries on Sanskrit works etc. etc. To illustrate this by mentioning a few of the outstanding works will serve the purpose. Such works are Trisatisalakapurusacaritam, Upamitibhavaprapancakatha, Siddhahema, Kavyanusasana, Ganitatilaka, Paumacariyam, Desinamamala, Kathakosa, Joisasara, Karalak hana, Ristasamuccaya. Paialacchinamamala, Tattvarthasutra, etc. The Jains have written in all the principal languages of India They have written in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, old Gujarati, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada etc. South Indian languages owe a good deal for development as literary languages to Jainism and Jain saints. Apabhramsa language is the sole sphere of Jain authors. Jains have not lagged behind in art, architecture, sculptur, painting etc. The beautiful and world famous tcmples on Mount Atu, Acalgadha, Sammetsikhara, Satrunjaya, Girnar are enough to show the patronage and enthusiasm given to art and sculpture. Even among lay men we have such historical personalities like Jagadushah, Vastupala and Tejpal and in our modern times Jain monks like Vijay vallabhsuri, the Kesari of Punjab, Aga moddharak Sagaranandsuri, Muni Kasturvijayaji, Bhuvanavijayaji, Jamburijayaji etc, and philantropic Sheth Sri Kasturbhai Lalbhai.
Jainism is noted for activism. Its monks and nuns are ever vigilant and active. Buddhism that was born in India was propagated and promulgated outside India has been almost driven out from India; whereas Jainism has remained to this day in India on account of its Anekantavada, Ahimsa, and strict rules of conduct both for monks, nuns and laity.
atmana atmanam uddharet. So religion and spiritualism depends on an individual. Norms for this have been laid down but they cannot be rigorously pursued and executed.
Out of the four purusarthas of the Hindus Artha and Kama are of effect in the evolution of a state socially and econonically. The world of to-day has not remained isolated. The world has become much more complex as well as narrow in its geographical sense. One cannot show apathy to any event that may happen at a place thousands of miles away. It is bound to take effect socially and economically. The food habits, the way of wearing dress both of men and women, the cinemas, the T. V., the press etc. are slowly, succintly and imperceptibly mould the life of people in society. Let us take an example. The modern dress of ladies. One has to change the orthodox mode of thinking and accept this with standards of decency in view of its usefulness, utility and urgency as it helps fast walking, climbing, running etc. Similarly taking food before Sun-set. Even though one wished in a city of Bombay for men and women in service it is not feasible on account of distance. According to the Hindus the present aeon is Kaliyuga and according to Jainism it is the fourth ara of the avasarpini. Things are bound to shape in this way willy hilly. What I want to derive from these stiay examples is that religion has to evolve different norms otherwise the younger generation will go a way from religion and be apathetic to it. Just as in our temples we have brought in electricity, just as for lay men use of telephone, radio, T. V. etc. can never remain a taboo, just as going abroad cannot be stopped, so also religion if it has to survive in the present circumstances, it has to evolve differently!
Jainism is equated with Ahimsa. In our modern times it is useful in its threefold aspects. Practicing Ahimsa, will help the country. Jainism has another "Vrata' in the form of Aparigraha'. To-day people live and spend extravagantly because of black money. This 'aparigraha' will go a long way in moulding the life both socially and economically. If one has money and if he wants to spend why not give this extra money as donations to schools, colleges, Universities, hospitals, etc. Everybody has to be educated to-day. If money pours into such educational institutions, the society and the country is to benefit by it. Jainism has another 'vrata' in 1. There are. ANUVRATAS for Shravak and
Shravikas which they can practice according to their wish and circumstances. - Editor
Singing the past glory of a thing cannot be useful to us. The question that should haunt our mind is the roll of Jainism in our modern times. What can be its contribution in the development of India, culturally, socially, economically and spiritually.
The Sanskrit word for religion is dharma. It is derived from the root/dhr to sustain, to support and hence we have dharanat dharma ucyate. Jainism defines it as : durgation prapatanpranim dharyate its dharmah. All religions ultimately aim at absolution and it is to be attained by one's own endeavour as
Rajendra-Jyoti