Ratnakarandaka Shravakachar

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

Page 21

Preface
are alien to it; only the various forms of karmas have kept it confined to and whirling in the mire of the world. As all karmas associated with the soul are annihilated, there is no cause for it to wander further in worldly existence. Due to our wrong beliefs, we give undue and misplaced importance to our so-called possessions, animate and inanimate, of the present life. These possessions include our body, relations like husband or wife, sons, daughters, friends and peers, and things that we acquire with great effort, like land, business and wealth. Due to ignorance and consequent delusion, we engender in our souls emotions of attachment and aversion. Attachment causes us to seek association of desirable objects, and aversion dissociation of undesirable ones. When desirable objects such as the son, the wife or the wealth are lost, we are grieved. Contact of undesirable objects such as foul or hostile environment causes us pain. On deprivation of desirable objects, we think repeatedly of regaining them and on association of undesirable objects of getting rid of them. When there is pain caused by disease such as gout and rheumatism, we think continually about the means to subdue it, and be cured. Engrossing oneself in pleasures not attained is another kind of sorrowful thought activity. We also spoil our tranquility by causing injury to others, speaking lies, stealing, and thoughts of safeguarding of wealth and other possessions. All the above-mentioned thought-activities are evil or inauspicious, cause sorrow, and extend transmigration.
Turning his soul inwards and avoiding all outward concerns, Ācārya Vidyānanda has established himself firmly in own nature. Engaged incessantly in Self-realization, he has no time or inclination to interact with the external environment. External objects generally remain unnoticed by him, as he pays no attention to these. His interaction with the people is minimal and without passions. For the few people he has to interact with occasionally, he engenders no lasting emotions of attachment or aversion.
A Yogi of few words, he chooses words that are sweet, positive and helpful. As soon as his interaction with the outside world is over, he
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