Sramana 1998 01

Author(s): Ashokkumar Singh, Shivprasad, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi

Page 118

A Study of Extracts in Astaka-Prakarana
: ११७
To comprehend the above reference it is necessary to describe the context of the proposition. Haribhadra presupposes that opponents may argue that for one, striving for the ultimate goal of salvation, what is the use of activities such as compassion, charity or service to or care for worldly creatures, in general or family members etc., in particular. To remove all these apprehensions, Haribhadra maintains that the inclination towards good deed and service to elders is likely to bring great reward in form of salvation and even seerhood (Tirthamkaratva). It is, in this context, he cites that even Mahavira, from the very beginning of his present birth of Tirthamkara, was involved in such virtuous activities.
Again, the contention of Buddhist is that charity, made by Mahāvīra at the time of his renunciation, can not be termed as great. As his charity is numerable and this is clearly mentioned in Jaina canonical texts' (सूत्रमित्यादि). The information regarding his numerable charity is mentioned in Ācārāñga and Āvaśyaka Niryukti, in following manner ---
एगा हिरण्ण कोडी अद्वैव अण्णया सय सहस्सा । तिण्णेव य कोडिसता अह्रासीतिं च होंति कोडीओ । असीतिं च सतसहस्सा एतं संवच्छरे दिण्णे ।। २/३/१५/११३।
- आचाराङ्ग। तिनेव य कोडीसया अट्ठासीइ च होई कोडीओ।। असीइ च सयसहस्सा एवं स्वच्छरे दिण्णं ।। २२०
- आ०नि०। Refuting Buddhist contention, Haribhadra maintains that greatness of his (Mahāvīra's) alm lies in his declaration 'ask for alm' 'ask for alm' (वरवरिकात:)।
महादानं हि संख्यावदर्थ्यभावाज्जगद्गुरोः । सिद्धं वरवरिकातस्तस्याः सूत्रे विधानतः ।। ५/२६