________________
132
THE WAY OF LIFE
with the same blank minds with which they entered it. People say, "Such people may attain some punya (merit) at least." Let them attain that merit. They may earn some merit but they also commit a sin by visiting the temple thus. If one does not conform to certain rules and principles in visiting a temple, one would surely be bound by papkarma (sin).
Let us for the time being leave out the question of punya (merit) and papa (sin). What has been the effect on your present life of the worship of the Parmatma?
(1) Have you become free from the fear of sorrows? (2) Have you become respectful towards virtuous people? (3) Have you become enthusiastic to perform spiritual.
activities and sacred actions? If you keep performing your spiritual activities according to prescriptions, these three effects will fall upon your life. In this connection, I remember an incident that took place in the life of Mahamantri (The Chief Minister) Pethad Shah. The Chief Minister of Malwa was a great devotee of Paramatma Jineshwar.
THE WORSHIP OF THE PARAMATMA BY MAHAMANTRI PETHAD SHAH
When we read his life-history, we can learn that he was performing many important austerities and the worship of the Paramatma. He attained great merit in his life. So, we can understand that even one austerity performed with respect, devotion and care regarding prescriptions exercises its immeasurable effect upon life. Every day, at noon, he used to perform the worship of the Paramatma. He worshipped the Paramatma only at noon. After taking a bath wearing clean dress, taking with him all auspicious things, he used to go to the temple of Paramatma. Every day he went to the temple thus. He entered the temple utter. ing the expression, "Nisihi”. He performed three circumambulations around the Paramatma. He prostrated before the Paramatma three times. He perform the Angapuja; the Agrapuja; and the Bhavapuja. In order to perform Bhavapuja (medita
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
