________________
279
27. Jalna Dharma is my mother, Its preceptore are my father; the Sådhus are my brothers, and my co-religionists are my family-members. Everything else in this world, is like the colours of a rain-bow.
28. I bow down respectfully before Tirthankara Bhagavan Śrt Rişabha Déva Swāmi and other Tirtbankaras of the present series of Twenty-four Tirthankaras, and also before the Arbats of other Bharata Ksetras, Airavata kşetra, and Mabā-Videha kşétra- The Namaskāra (obelbance) done to Tirthankaras destroys worldly existence for all living beings, and it is productive of Enlightenment.
29 I bow down before Siddha Bhagavāns who have burnt away all the Karmas of thousands of living existences by the fire of religious contemplation,
30. I bow down before the Ācāryas (the leaders of a company of saints) who carefully observe the five ācāras (rules of conduct viz. 1. Jnānācāra) to increaee knowledge. 2. Darsanācāra (to induce strong and steady faith) 3. Căritrācāra (to improve one's daily life.) 4. Tapācāra to practise austerity. 5. Vīryācāra (to increase the power of ones' inner self).
31. I bow down before worthy Upadhyāyas, who, being desirous of destruction of worldly existences, are the repositaries of Scriptural Knowledge and who are especially, qualified to teach, and are in charge of instruction to salnts.
32. I bow down before well-disciplined Sadhus, who are able to destroy, in a moment, evil Karmas, accumulated during thousands of worldly existences.
33 I abstaįn from mental, vocal, and bodily activities of sinful acts, and I relinquish all external and internal attachments mentally, vocally, and bodily till the end of my life.
34. I abstain from all the four varieties of food and drink. materials till the end of my life.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
