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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
or instruments I employed to achieve the final goal. One who uses a rate to cross a river should abandon it after having crossed the river. Scaffoldin should be removed when the building is ready. One should not cling to means and instruments. I must turn my attention inward. At this stage I must depend solely on my soul. I must follow the path of non-attachment shown by tirthankara Mahavira. I should not lament for the death of such an attachment-free Mahavira."
Guatama's delusion and infatuation gave way to knowledge and his wisdom shone.His repentance led to self-examination and he thought : "Of the eleven principal direct ascetic disciples of Tirthankara Mahavira, nine attained liberation. Tirthankara Mahavira himself went to the abode of the liberated. How long should I, - Gautama - the first and foremost disciple of the venerable Mahavira, remain bound in delusion and infatuation ! I must become free from delusion and infatuation. They defile my soul. They make me blind to the spiritual Truth. They foster attachment and result in clinging to it." Gautama thus advanced on the path of destroying delusion.
Gautama said to himself, "O! My attachment to the body of my spiritual teacher made me wail and lament. I was confused as to why my teacher had sent me away from him at the time of his death. The confusion has now gone and I am free from delusion. The infinite light of a thousand suns enlightens my heart. My venerable teacher kept his words. He had promised me, C Gautama, you and I will be equal. We shall attain that highest spiritual state where there is no difference between a teacher and a disciple. Tirthankara Mahavira attained perfection. Thus my own attainment of perfection is certain."
Just as one lamp kindles another lamp, Mahavira's liberation was instrumental in Gautama's attainment of omniscience. Gautama's soul became pure with the result that he acquired infinite pure knowledge (kevaljnana). The gods started playing on the divine drums. Men and women celebrated the auspicious occasion. The event occurred in the last quarter of the night of the fifteenth day of the dark half of the month of Ashvina, 470 years before the commencement of Vikrama Era. The day of Dipavali every year reminds us of the attainment of liberation (moksha) ty Tirthankara Mahavira. and the New Year Day (of Hindu calendar) reminds us of the attainment of omniscience (keval jnana) by the revered teacher Gautamaswami.
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