Spiritual Guide

Author(s): Rajyashsuri
Publisher: Labdhi Vikramsuri Sanskruti Kendra Ahmedabad

Page 8

JAIN SCRIPTURES SHOW WAY
TO CONQUER MIND
Similarly, through the characters of Lakshmana and Bharata, the duties of brothers are described. Bharata need not have surrendered the empire. He could have enjoyed royal comforts but he lived a life of an anchorite and ruled the kingdom remaining detached. Lakshmana, too, need not have accompanied Shri Rama. The brothers were trained to be united in the ancient joint family system and they remained inseparable.
Muni Rajyashvijayaji referred to the value attached to the institution of asceticism. All in the Ikshvaku dynasty, according to Jain Ramayana, became ascetics, Shri Rama being no exception. The governing Jain principle was that no man should die at home.
Dt. 01-09-1979 In Jainism, ascetics have been enjoined to observe certain rules in daily life, apart from the five Mahavratas-Satyam, Asteyam, Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya. They are forbidden from touching money and are called upon to avoid taking even water after sunset, to walk bare-footed and to depend on offerings by householders for sustenance. These monastic rules are intended to help one in conquering the mind and disentangling oneself from all Karmas so as to reach the highest state of emancipation.
Ravana was a scholar, an outstanding warrior. He possessed wealth and power but his pride led him to his doom. Having kidnapped Sati Sita, he could have used force to marry Her but he was bound by a vow not to compel a woman if she had not love for him. Sane advice tendered to him was rejected and even the last chance given by Lord Rama was spurned, all because of his pride in his might. By this, the need to develop humility has been spelt out in the epic.
Acharya Vikramsurishwaraji, in his discourse on Jain scriptures, said the monastic rules, originally framed by Mahavira, have been spelt out in Kalpa Sutra, which is deemed to be the most sacred Sutra among the 45 scriptures of the Swetambara Murtipujaka Jain composed by Bhadrabahu, the seventh in the line of succession to Mahavira. The work is publicly recited during the eight days' annual Paryushan festival (which has just concluded for this year). During the rest of the year, it is not recited among the householders. Tradition has it that the householder who listens to the recitation of this 1200verse Sutra, with deep devotion and sincerity, for 21 years without break, would reach the supreme state of perfection and attain salvation.