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Rays of Dharma
of all adorable virtues; to the live spirit that prevailed in RäjgrubiPäväpuri area 2,600 years ago. Even the soil sanctified by the Lord's feet stands gratified. It is capable to indicate to the deserving persons what had occurred long back; they can even visualize it. The author therefore bows to Lord Mahaveer, who has transcended time.
The book contains the precious spiritual treasure that the author offers at the feet of Lord Mahaveer. Prior to renouncement the Lord had access to all sorts of comforts. He had youthfulness, wealth, wife, daughter, brother, sister etc. But he knew that it was all ephemeral and subject to destruction. His spiritual thirst could not be quenched with such worldly pleasures. He was looking for the ambrosial truth, the everlasting peace. As such, he gave up all worldly possessions and adopted the path leading to bliss.
For that purpose, he resorted to spiritual pursuit for more than 12 years, bore intense pain and hardship that came on the way. But in the end, he gained the spiritual treasure of innate love and universal friendship. In this respect the saint-poet Änanddhanji has said, 'I have drunk the poison of worldly life; now I want to have the ambrosial drink that can quench my spiritual thirst.'
Chaitanya (consciousness) has amazing capability. It can turn a moment into ages and ages into ageless. The body does not have that capability. Once consciousness leaves, the body is turned into a lifeless bundle of bones. There is unending pleasure in consciousness, that is lying latent within us. We have to manifest it by resorting to meditation and realizing the truth.
We have to fasten our belt in order to gain the jewels contained in the book; we need to spare enough time for listening, comprehending and contemplating over its words. Only then would it be possible to experience the ambrosia contained therein.
The modes of instruction, logic and reasoning may change with the passage of time, but such books remain constant. Some people argue that these sutras are very old; we need something new that is lively. They should remember that these sutras are not going to be
