________________
Aṣṭaka Prakaraṇa: An Introduction : 115
In this 21st 'Sükṣmabuddhyāṣrayaṇāṣṭakam' Haribhadra preaches to examine minutely, the propriety of the vow or volition before adapting it. Misapprehension or wrong comprehension is likely to mar the virtuous objective of vow. The defects of observing a vow without reflecting on its pros and cons is thus illustrated. A monk, having taken a vow to give medicine to some sicks, is grieved if he does not find the object (sick monk) within stipulated period of vow. Otherwise, a situation of non-illness, is ideal. Thus a volited act of benevolence not thought of carefully may, in reality desire the harm of others. He preaches that the acts of charity etc. also should be carefully, performed completely in tune with canonical preachings.
The 22nd Bhāvaśuddhivicārāṣṭakam' describes that 'Bhāvaśuddhi or auspicious disposition of mind follows the path of liberation. It delights in the preachings of canons and is free from the prejudices. The rise, in the causes of impurity of mind viz. attachments, hatred and delusion, makes the purity of mind, impossible. The subservience to or high respect towards enlightened one leads to the subsidience in delusion. This subservience to the more virtuous is the prime condition of attaining purity of mind. Acārya says that a monk holding, the virtuous ones, in high esteem is likely to attain purity of mind.
The 23rd Śāsanamālinyaniṣedhāṣṭakaṁ maintains that one should try his best not to malign the Jina-order. It (maligning) is the prime cause of sin. In maligning the Jinaorder, even ignorantly, one becomes the cause of perversity in other creatures and is himself the subject to the bondage of intense deluding karman. On the contrary, the one, contributing in the elevation of Jina-order, thus being instrumental in the attainment of right faith by others, attains this himself which ultimately bestows the bliss of salvation.
The 24th 'Punyānubandhipuṇyādivivaraṇāṣṭakaṁ',
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
