Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 414

STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATÍ SÚTRA
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finally pure emotion, cognition and conation. The aim of religion is self-realization of the universal and absolutely Real embodying the highest qualities re-oriented into the ultimate objective values—truth (satyam), goodness (sivan) and bliss (śānti) Obiect of worship & meditation in Sramaņa-Nirgrantha Dharma
According to the doctrine of Sramana-Nirgrantha Dharma as embodied in the BhS, soul (ātmā;' is the ultimate object of worship, meditation and spiritual realization. It is also revealed in the Samayasāra' that soul (Jiva) which rests on right conduct, self-awareness and knowledge is the real self.
"Jivo cāuittadamsaņaņāņaţthido tam hi sa samayam jāņo".
The self which has realized its oneness is the beautiful ideal in the whole Universe.
“Eyattaņicchaya gado samao savvattha sumdaro loge''s.
To know this ultimate reality there should be right attitude of mind (Samyagdysti) and absence of wrong attitude of mind (mithyadrșți) about the self. Again this Samyaktva consists of sañvega (desire for liberation), nirveda (disregard of worldly objects), anukampā (compassion or sympathetic feeling), while mithyātva contains in it viparyaya (preversicn), ekānta (exclusive. ness), sansaya (doubt) and ajñāna (wrong knowledge).
The following statement throws a welcome light upon the conception of Sramaņa Nirgrantha religion.
Desire for liberation (samvega), disregard of worldly objects (nirveda), attendance upon preceptor and co-religionists (guru. sāhammiya-8u88ūsaņā), self-analysis and self-confession of all faults committed (aloyanā), self-blame (nimdaņayā), self-censure (garahaņā), forgiveness (khamāvanā), assistance to the scriptural study (suyasahāyatā), observance of vows (such as, renunciation of anger, etc.) (viu samaņayā=vyavasamanatā), absence of obstruction (unimpededness) in thought (bhāve appadibaddhayā),
2 Samayasära, Gatha 1, 2, p. 2.
i Bhs. 2, 1, 92. 8 Ib, Gatha 1, 3, p. 3.