Vajrakavach

Author(s): Dharnendrasagar
Publisher: Jain Sahitya Prakashan Mandir

Page 47

A person who conquers his sexual desires is praiseworthy and venerable. Celibacy is an important means of self-realisation because every soul craves for salvation at all times. Celibacy chastity, continence, control of sexual desires and sensual cravings promotes spiritual powers, worldly success and unexpected gains.
But a person who practices celibacy does not do so for fame or gains. His sole aim is spiritual sublimation of his original instincts. Because, the satisfaction of the instincts gives rise to a hundred more desires. Hence Jain thinkers praise continence, the fourth vow.
Non-Possession
Lord Mahavira has taught us five great vows for the sake of spiritual development. These are non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence 01' celibacy and non-possession. However, non-violence and non-possession are considered more important than the rest, because non-violence and non-possession are inter-connected. Lord Mahavira has always forbidden non-violence with non-possession since it is the possession that provokes to resort to violence.
What is mean by possession? Generally wealth. money, property, house etc. are considered to be possessed by a layman. But, in spiritual terms possession means an impurity of our consciousness. Possessiveness is our attachment to external objects. Thus Possession is our mental attitude towards
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