Samayasara

Author(s): Kundkundacharya, J L Jaini
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE JAINAS.
conformity with what has been realised and taught by the five Sruta-Kevalis or saints with full scriptural knowledge, who flourished from 464 to 364 B. C. Lord Mahávíra (599-527 B. C.), was succeeded by the three Omniscients, Gautama (527-515 B. C.) Sudharma (515-504 B. C.) and Jambusvámi (504-466 B. C.), the last Arhat and Liberated Soul in this fifth aeon of the semi-cycle (Avasarpini) of time in this Bharata Kshetra. The last of the 5 Shruta-Kevalis was Shri Bhadrabáhu, the Teacher and Initiator of the great Mauryan Emperor Chandra Gupta who was a contemporary of Alexander the Great, and flourished in the 4th century B. C. and who met a calm and peaceful death at the Chandra Hill in Shravana Belgola in Hassan District, Mysore State, in South
India.
The name “Samayasára” may also be derived from, and is certainly justified by, the use of the word "Samaya," so frequently made by the author, in the sense of absorption or realisation. Sva-samaya or Self-absorption is the central Goal to be aimed at by the Soul struggling to be free from the fetters of the mundane bondage of Karmas.
जीवो चरित्तदंसणणाणविद तं हि ससमयं जाणे । पुग्गल कम्मुवदेसहिदं च तं जाण परसमयं ॥२॥ जीवश्चारित्रदर्शन ज्ञान स्थितस्तं हि स्वसमयं जानीहि । पुद्गलकर्मोपदेशस्थितं च तं जानीहि परसमयं ॥२॥
2. Know the Soul (which is) concentrated in (right) conduct, belief and knowledge, to be self-absorption. And know that (which) stands in (the condition) determined by (the operation) of Karmic matter (to be) non-self-absorption.
Commentary. Although the Soul in its essence and nature is all purity, perfect knowledge, happiness, etc., yet the mundane Soul in associa. tion with Karmic matter from beginningless time has got so intimately attached to matter and impure thought-activities, due to the operation of Deluding Karmas, that it is oblivious of its reality and is absorbed in mundane pleasures. Thus it is that Souls are divided into two classes : Souls who are absorbed in right belief, knowledge and realisation of their true nature or self-absorbed,