________________
20
THE WAY OF LIFE
pure and sacred and if our mind and thoughts are clean and immaculate, surely we will attain the fruit of Nirvana (absolute deliverance). If the actions of both the exponent and the listeners, the actions of exposition and listening are pure and clean and immaculate, then the fruit of Nirvana will be attained. My ultimate aim and your ultimate aim are one and the same - to attain mukthi (liberation). I am expounding the subject through my discourses; I am performing the action of exposition and this action of mine must have the sublime objective that by virtue of my voice and exposition, people might attain spiritual elevation.
By listening to my words, the thoughts of people with respect to their souls might become chastened and ennobled -- I must have this kind of lofty objective and if that is so my action of delivering discourses will surely give the fruit of Nirvana (deliverance). You are now performing the action of listening to my discourses. Even this action of listening has its importance. With what objective do you listen to my discourses? Which kind of objective can your action of listening bring the fruit of moksha ? Have you thought of that at any time? You listen but you do not think. If you perform the action of listening to the discourses with the objective that this voice of the Jin should bring you self-realisation; that by listening to the words of the Jin your attachments and hatred might lessen and that you might be able to put forth efforts to get rid of the bondage of Karmas — If you have these objectives, then your action of listening to the discourses will surely bring the fruit of Mukthi or Salvation.
The Connection of the Grantha
After explaining the usefulness of the Grantha, the author mentions the connection between its title and its purport. The Dharmatatva or the doctrine of the Dharma is the subjectmatter; that means here Dharma has been expounded; and the title of the Grantha signifies it. The connection between the grantha and the Dharmatatva (the philosophy of Dharma) has been explained. What is the relationship between this eternal dharma and the grantha?. There is a deep relationship. This
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
