Way of Life Part 3

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 21

DISCOURSE 49
Brahmi and Sundari had learnt from Bhagwan Rishabhdev where Bahubali was; and why he had not attained Kevaljnan; so they came to Bahubali; and said: "Dear brother! Alight from the elephant. One who is seated on the elephant cannot become a Kevaljnani".
On hearing what Brahmi and Sundari said, Bahubali began to think, "I am only standing on the ground but my sisters tell me to alight from the elephant and that one who is seated on the elephant cannot become a Kevaljnani". As he kept thinking of this he realized their idea, "Oh! Yes! I am seated on the elephant of ego. My sisters have spoken the truth. Proud and arrogant people cannot attain Kevaljnan. I will go, at once, to Bhagwan Rishabhdev and I will salute my ninety eight younger brothers who are Shramans". That was enough! As soon as Bahubali placed his steps on his way to meet the Bhagwan, he attained Kevaljnan. His feeling of superiority disappeared; his pride and arrogance vanished; and the lights of Kaivalya the supreme state shone resplendent.
PRIDE TAKES MANY FORMS
Pride takes many forms. In the Dharmagranthas, they arc known as the eight kinds of arrogance. Those eight kinds of pride have been described in Prashamarathi, a magnificent philosophical work by Acharya Umaswathi thus:
" जाति-कुल-रुप-बल लाभ-बुद्धिवाल्लभ्यक-तमदान्धाः । क्लीबाः परत्र चेह च हितमप्यर्थ न पश्यन्ति ॥ "
Pride relating to caste, community, appearance, strength the possession or attainment of anything, intelligence, and knowledge makes man blind. The man who is blinded by pride cannot see and realize his worldly or otherworldly welfare and prosperity. He mistakes good for evil; and evil for good. Hence, he keeps wandering aimlessly in life. A man treats with contempt that person or object lacking in that quality of which he is proud. A man who is proud of his high caste feels proud of those who belong to a high caste; and treats those of the so called lower castes with contempt. The pride regarding castc impels a man to treat with contempt those who belong to the so called lower castes. The pride relating to appearance impels