Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Traverses on less trodden path...
product of the mature mind of the author who has tasted the embrosia of spiritual experience. In this matter this work seems to be a later work of our author.
This Adhyātmopan işatprakarana is written in beautiful melodious Saoskrit in 209 Verses and contains four chapters, viz. Šāstra yogajudhi, Jhānayogasuddhi, Kriyayogasuddhi and Samyayogaguddhi. It is very important work from the point of view of Jaina Philosophy and Religion.
It seems to be a sponteneous expression of a mystic mind in its attempt to realise the Supreme Soul. The underlying current of this work is Umāsvāti Vācaka's statement viz. Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Action (conduct) are the means of liberation. He goes a step further and describes the state of Liberation or Mokşa (State of Samata) which is necessary consequence of following the path of liberation.
The first chapter is devoted to show the importance of Right Faith in the words of Jina; Right Knowledge is glorified in second chapter; importance of action is described in third and, the last chapter is dedicated to describe the State of Sameness (Samatā), the updivided blissful state, which is the result of Right Faitb, Right Knowl.oge and Right Action. These three gems together constitute one path and are to be simultaneously pursued. If one is absent the patb of salvation is incomplete. Right Faith is responsible for placing a person on the right path, Right knowledge illumines the path and Right Conduct leads to the goal. Thus it is emphatically maintained that all these three aspects must be present in a person, if one is to reach his spiritual goal. 5 It seoms that on the basis of same foundation laid by Umāsvāti in fourth century A. D.. Yasovijaya, erected a beautiful palace illumined by his spiritual light. He has developed the same idea of Umāsvāti, but presented it in such an independent way, that it is very difficult to say that he is propagating
Umgsvati's thought. The chapter-wise study will reveal this fact very clearly. Now let us make a chapter-wise servey to understand the mind of Yagovijay.
In the beginning of the first chapter, he explains the correct meaning of the word Adhyatma. Adhyatma bas two meanings. Evembhūra point of view (which declares that a thing bears a particular Damo only while it
:: 3. 'Samyagdarsanajñānacäritrāņi mokṣa margah'-Tattvārthasūțra-1-1. Part-1, ed : H.R.
Kapadia, Pub : J. S, Javeri, Bombay. 1926. 4. Adhyatmopanisatprakarana A.P.) IV. Adhyatmasāra-Adhyātmopanişat-Jñāpasāra
prakaranatrayi. Pub. : Sanghavi Nagindas Karmacanda, Jamnagar, V.S. 1994. 5. Prasamaratiprakarana of Umāsvāti.--Verse-230. Edited by Y. S. Shastri, Pub.: L. D.
Institute of Indology, A'bad, 1989, p-53.