Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 84

THE WAY OF LIFE
Whenever on his way he happened to see a fellow member of his faith, he would alight from his horse and salute him respectfully. He possessed an unexampled faith in the fellow members of his faith.
VARIOUS KINDS OF SERVICE
I have mentioned here, his great contributions very briefly. At any rate, his achievements were the result of the service he rendered to Acharyashri Dharmaghoshasooriji. But have you understood the meaning of service ? One meaning of service is giving the Gurudev food, clothing and medicine etc. The other meaning of service is to act according to the commands of the Gurudev, to attain samyakjnan (the right knowledge) from the Gurudev; to receive great vows from the Gurudev; to treat spiritual heads with politeness, respect and heartfelt affection.
One day, after having performed the worship of the Paramatma, Pethad Shah went to the upashraya to salute the Gurudev. At that time, many sadhus were carrying out scriptural studies in the upashraya. The Chief Minister heard the sweet voices of the sadhus and munis who were carrying out scriptural studies and who were reading out the slokas loudly and clearly. He was greatly delighted by their voices. After saluting the Gurudev in the prescribed manner, he sat in a proper place. Sitting nearby, a muni was teaching another muni, a Jin Agam. The word Gautam repeatedly occurred in the Agam. Pethad Shah heard it with concentration for about half an hour. He liked the sutra very much. He asked the Acharya;
"Gurudev ! which sutra is this? The word Gautam occurs again and again in it.” LISTENING TO THE BHAGAVATI SUTRA
The Gurudev said, "Noble man! This is the fifth Agam sutra called the Bhagavati sutra. This is the greatest Agam sutra. Shri Ganadhar Gautamswami put thirty-six thousand questions to Lord Mahavir and every time, addressing Gautamswami by mentioning his name, Lord Mahavir answered all