________________
resurrection, without contact of matter; he is not feminine, nor masculine, nor neuter; he perceives, he knows, but there is no analogy; its essence is without form; there is no condition of the unconditioned."'50
The Kathopanisad tells us that the realisation of Paragati delivers one from the mouth of death.51 Again, of the two paths which are open to man, the wise one after distinguishing them properly chooses the path of good in preference to the path of pleasure, by virtue of which the true aim of life is realised. On the contrary, the fool hankering after the path of pleasure is defeated in attaining to real beneficence. 52 The mundane path which many men follow must be distinguished from the supermundane one which relieves man from the transitoriness of worldly objects, and from sorrows and sufferings. According to the Chandogya Upanisad the forest ascetics adorned with knowledge and faith tread the path of the gods (Devayāna) which consequentially leads to the attainment of the Brahman or deliverance in contrast to the householders who are busy performing sacrifices and who therefore go by the path of fathers (Pitṛyāna) to be born again in this world. 53
ACTIVISM AS THE HIGHEST GOOD: Seventhly, According to Jainism the Tirthankara exemplifies the ideal life of Activism. There is a difference between a Tīrthankara and a non-Tīrthankara. The former is capable of preaching and propagating religious doctrines in order to guide the mundane souls immersed in the life of illusion, and his sermons are properly worded by the Gaṇadharas; while the latter is not the pro-pounder of religious faith or principles, but silently enjoys simply the sublimity of mystical experience. These do
106
Jain Education International
Spiritual Awakening (Samyagdarśana) and Other Essays
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
