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DISCOURSE 87
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knowledge can be attained only by means of positive contemplation on the doctrines of Dharma.
Bahubali, who by means of a spiritual contemplation carried out for a few moments, could renounce his kingdom and all sensual and physical enjoyments and who could discard his anger against Bharath and who became a shraman could not renounce his pride and his sense of self-importance. "They are my younger brothers and I am their elder brother". Even this thought is born out of pride. He stood there with that pride in his heart for twelve years. He stood there through sun and shower; in winter and in summer without taking food or water for twelve years. Even then, he did not attain kevaljnan.
When at last, Sadhvi Bramhi and Sadhvi Sundari came there and said, “Dear brother ! Descend from the elephant !" Bahubali heard their words and began contemplating on them. "Am I sitting on an elephant ? No. No. I am standing on the ground. Yet why did these sadhvis advise me to descend from the elephant ? These sadhvis, of course, speak the truth. Oh! I have realised the truth of their words. My pride is the elephant on which I am riding, I am seated on the elephant of haughtiness. I must discard my pride and haughtiness. The sadhvis have spoken the truth. They have opened my mental eyes. Who is the elder brother ? Who is the younger brother ? Who is great ? Who is small ? Who is high ? Who is low ? My younger brothers are kevaljnanis. They are really greater than I. I will go there and salute them”.
As soon as he placed the first step in that direction, he attained kevaljnan. He became an omniscient vitrag. This was the result of his positive contemplation. That is why the enlightened people say that you must engage yourself in a contemplation after hearing a discourse.
You can carry out a positive contemplation on spiritual doctrines only when you completely discard your prejudices, obstinacy and dogmatism. The man who is bound by prejudices and is enveloped by obstinacy and dogmatism contemplates on whatever he hears only through the medium of his prejudices
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