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TAŠASTILAKA AND INDIAN CULTURE that the statement (made by Brahmanical writers) that what is given in this life is recovered by the donor in the next life is entirely false. Cows, for instance, are in the habit of eating water and grass, but they produce milk, something quite different.
It is the duty of householders to remedy the ills of monks and saints, which may be of three kinds : physical ailments, mental worries and external troubles such as the rigours of cold and wind, 3 If the laity neglect the sufferings of the monks, the latter cannot maintain their spiritual concentration, and the former will render themselves guilty of impiety. While the monks are engaged in expounding and studying the sacred texts, they should be comforted with lodging, food, books and other amenities. The holy textsthe Angas, Pūrvas, Prakīrṇas, Sūktas and the utterances of the Kevalinswould entirely become extinct, if those who know the scriptures thoroughly were to perish on account of neglect. One should therefore help the monks to master the scriptures by sheltering and encouraging them and contributing to their joy, and by providing them with materials necessary for their study. 8 It should be remembered that men, capable of physical labour, for instance, the carrying of arms, are easily available, but those who are endowed with real knowledge are rare like heroes. Knowledge alone can control the mind, like a spear controlling an elephant: without knowledge, physical labour is nothing but labour that is lost. One who concentrates on knowledge succeeds in external austerities without any effort, but, as a matter of fact, external activities no longer take place when the soul is immersed in knowledge. It is doubtful if a man without knowledge can destroy his karma even after ages, but a man who is endowed with knowledge and yoga is sure to destroy his karma in a moment. The man whose speech is not refined by the science of words, and whose intellect is not purified by right principles, is like a blind person labouring according to the convictions of others."
1 Cf. Naişadhacarita 5. 92-1997AYHUT B feufuta Rafa afei Hyta SR dig
पारलौकिककुसीदमसीदत् ॥ 2 947 PIECETTE 27:1 19:42: 973fa fatia atqRIGT: 11 P. 408. 3 THTHTT-goarfeciaria I FITTATI : Tatar Terfi: 11 P. 409. 4 oftai afo r ra 1 Bruneta agi er 14 i (added from mss.) 5 ATHEI ara Ech 98641 (added from mss.) 31rar Terrariefah
अङ्गपूर्वप्रकीर्णोक्तं सूक्तं केवलिभाषितम् । नश्येन्निर्मूलतः सर्वं श्रुतस्कन्धधरात्यये ।। 6 प्रश्रयोत्साहनानन्दस्वाध्यायोचितवस्तुभिः । श्रुतवृद्धानू मुनीन् कुर्वजायते श्रुतपारगः॥
अस्त्रधारणवद्वाह्ये क्लेशे हि सुलभा नराः। यथार्थज्ञानसंपन्नाः सौडीरा इव दुर्लभाः॥ 8 सृणिवज्ञानमेवास्य वशायाशयदन्तिनः। तदृते च बहिःक्लेशः केश एव परं भवेत् ।। 9 बहिस्तपः स्वतोऽभ्येति शानं भावयतः सतः । क्षेत्रज्ञे यन्निमग्नेऽत्र कुतः स्युरपराः क्रियाः॥ 10 यदज्ञानी युगैः कर्म बहुभिः क्षपयेन्न वा । तज्ज्ञानी योगसंपन्नः क्षपयेत् क्षणतो ध्रुवम् ॥ 11 yad oft: I Te Tarefaa: 1979T THEY: THITHI
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