Samkit Faith Practice Liberation

Author(s): Amit B Bhansali
Publisher: Amit B Bhansali

Page 236

There was once a demigod (deva) called Sangama who had mithyaatva and was a contemporary of Lord Mahavira . When he heard praise for Lord Mahavira's equanimity in the face of grief and suffering, he began to envy Lord Mahavira. His arrogance made it difficult for him to digest that a mere human had far more patience and equanimity than the demigods themselves. He decided to test Lord Mahavira's patience and serenity. He came to earth from the heavens and for nine months continued to cause Lord Mahavira many afflictions and discomforts. He was trying to extinguish Lord Mahavira's flame of lasting samyaktva. He failed. In fact, flame shone stronger and brighter. Even while Sangama busied himself tried to heap pain and misery, Lord Mahavira 's soul was filled with compassion thinking of the consequent misery Sangama would experience on account of his cruel deeds. This is because Lord Mahavira's samyaktva was so strong that it was impossible for the strongest and wildest storm to extinguish it. The moral of the story is that Lord Mahavira's life was constantly illuminated by samyaktva. His art of living - samyaktva - enabled him to destroy the enemy of karma.
For the one who has samyaktva, sorrow is a great teacher. For him, sorrow is a lesson learned. It serves to awaken him from the stupor of delusion and false belief. Grief and adversities teach the samyakdrishti person that you reap what you sow. He realises that he has to deal with the consequences of his past deeds. He knows that the consequence of one's actions have to be borne sooner or later. It is pointless feeling miserable. It is pragmatic to bear the consequence now, for it is always better to tackle adverse karmas now rather than in future. He knows that:
"Kadaana kammaana na mokkha asti" (there is no liberation without bearing the consequences of one's deeds. ~ Gunsthaana Mokshnaa Sopaan (Page 191, Author: Dr. Ketaki Shah, Publisher: Dariyaapuri Jain Samiti, (Navrangpura) Ahmedabad, (Gujarat) year 2010)
When the soul experiences immaculate disposition and begins annihilating karmas rather than merely suppressing them, even the horrors of hell cannot perturb it.
It has been said in the Saarasamucchaya, 'It is better to possess samyktva and go to hell rather than lack samyaktva and go to heaven.' - Samyagdharshana; (Page 103, Author: Ashokmuni, Publisher: Diwaakarjyoti Karyaalaya, Byaawar (Rajasthan), year 1981)
This is because there is sorrow even in the heavens for those who lack samyaktva. Aatma-gynaana {knowing the self} is the only true bliss. Once it is attained, the mendicant may live anywhere. Because he understands this principle thoroughly, he remains tranquil while experiencing the fruits of his actions. And going forward, does not bind any new karmas.
There is a secret to this equanimous understanding. Only those who have attained samyaktva know this.
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