________________
SHRIMAD RAJCHANDRA
Four upamas (metaphors) of the sansar (world). World as ocean.
Infinite as ocean of the world is, it can be crossed on the boat of right spiritual conduct, conquering formidable waves of lust and material possessions, with spiritual master as navigator.
World as darkness.
The world is full of illusion, and as a result, this darkness of ignorance prevails. This darkness is dispelled by the eternal flame of right spiritual knowledge.
Jain Education International
World as fire.
The world is burning with threefold flames of mental tensions, physical illnesses and other worldly anxieties. This fire is continually fuelled by the ghee of illusionary pleasures and the oil of carnal desires. This fire is quenched by the cool water of non-attachment (vairagya). World as bullock cart.
The wheels of the bullock cart represent the eternal cycle of life and death, drawn by the bullocks of attachment, hatred and ignorance.
The twelve Bhavanas (reflections) are Anitya bhavana (impermanence), Asharana bhavana (refugeless state), Sansara bhavana (futility of worldliness), Ekatva bhavana (of a solitary status), Anyatva bhavana (otherness), Asrava bhavana (inflow of karmas), Samvara bhavana (shutting out of karmas), Nirjara bhavana (wearing down of karmas), Lokswarupa bhavana (nature of the world), Bodhidurlabha bhavana (rareness of the knowledge of truth) and Dharmadurlabha bhavana (rareness of true religion). These bhavanas are explained by parables and poems. Illustrated here is an example of Anitya bhavana.
10
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
