________________
138
THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS.
Commentary.
A right believer is firmly convinced, without any the least doubt whatsoever, that his soul is all-supreme and permanent, that in its state of purity it knows all that is knowable, in all forms and for all times, present, past and future. He has an unshakeable belief that soul is indestructible and cannot possibly die, or suffer from any accident; it is immaterial, and free from any physical ills; its inseparable attributes are pure consciousness, peace, and happi
ness.
A right believer, whether a layman or a saint, has no fear. The only difference is that a layman evades danger, and a saint is unmindful of it.
A saint who in his soul advancement has entered the sixth spiritual stage, will not shrink from meditation. Even if he is hurt or ill-treated or attacked by disease, the body may perish, but his equanimity will not be disturbed.
The seven kinds of fear are thus enumerated. (1) Fear reláting to this life, (2) fear relatiug to the next life, (3) fear of being without protection, (4) fear of losing what is possessed, (5) fear of pain, (6) fear of accident, and (7) fear of death.
जो चत्तारिवि पाए छिंददि ते कम्ममोहवाधकरे । सो सिंको चेदा सम्मादिट्ठी मुदव्वो ॥ २४४ ॥ यश्चतुरोऽपि पादान् छिमत्ति तान् कर्ममोहबाधाकरान् । a faxixxàaiĝar gruvefeñasy: || 288 ||
244. A right believer should be known to be that soul which destroys all the four bases (of bondage, viz., wrong belief, vowlessness, passions, and vibratory activity of the soul) which cause Karmas (i.e., bondage of Karmic matter), delusion and disturbances.
Commentary.
All these four bases, with error-feeding passions, are causes of deep Karmic bondage, and of producing delusion and disturbance in the calmness of the soul. By their removal, a soul becomes rightthinking and right-doing. He believes that not a particle of this universe belongs to him. "I am soul only." "No one can burn it, hurt it, kill it, or change it into another soul or non-soul." This thought keeps him fearless,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
