Sunday, January 1, 2023

Atmanushasan (Discipline of soul)….08


Inducement  for protecting Dhyana while in Samadhi

In the next shloka, the Jivas making their Ayu and body successful by carrying out Tapa are praised:

Shloka 115: Just as the flower in the front part of a raw fruit sheds away, in the same way whose body withers away, gets destroyed upon aging after generating punya form great fruit in the Tapa form creeper; further whose Ayu upon completion of Samadhi dries up itself in the Tapa form fire just as water dries up in fire protecting the milk – such Jiva is blessed.

Meaning: Just as the flower in the creeper, after producing the raw fruit, itself withers away, in the same way whose body engaging in Tapa, itself gets destroyed after producing punya; further just as with conjunction of fire, just as water keeping the milk intact, itself dries away; in the same way in Tapa state, whose Ayu keeping the Dharma intact, itself dries away -  in this way the person making the body and Ayu meaningful are blessed.

Glory of knowledge in Tapa

How do the Jivas equipped with great detachment practice Tapa nursing the impure and miserable body, staying with it is explained in next two shlokas:

Shloka 116: Those who experience supreme detachment, such Jivas, nursing the body practice Tapa for long periods – this we consider as greatness of knowledge.

Meaning: The one towards which detachment is prevalent, nursing it is not possible, however wise people realising that the attainment of objective is possible only with with its maintenance, for the purpose of meeting their goal, they maintain it. They do not spoil it with affection. The Maha Muni although is detached towards the body, even then he knows that Tapa can be practiced only with the body, hence he maintains it by providing it food etc. for success of his objective, without over indulgence with affection. In this way keeping the body for long and practicing Tapa denotes the greatness of knowledge only. If knowledge were not there, then the Jiva would destroy the body with very harsh practice and attain Deva Paryaya wherein the Sanyam is discontinued. Hence Gyanis do not do so.

It is not tolerable to stay with this body for even half a moment

Shloka 117: If Gyan were not preventing it by stopping, then which Muni would tolerate living with this body for even half a moment? Nobody would.

Meaning: Just as somebody had friendship with another person, however later he came to learn of this friend’s treachery, then he immediately wishes to give up his company by fighting with him. At that time some wise person persuades him by holding his hand that with such a quarrel it would harm him only in future ; hence by remaining with him for sometime, making it weaker, then he should be destroyed.

In the same way this soul had affinity towards the body , however now when he realised it to be cause for his miseries, then with severe conduct he wishes to destroy it. At such time the knowledge generated by Jina Vani has admonished that in this manner with the destruction of body, one would attain Deva etc. form paryaya wherein only misery would continue. Hence keeping its company for sometime, making it weak, such efforts should be made that the body is not required to be adopted again.

If Gyan were not there to prevent in such a manner, then which Muni would like to keep body with him ? Therefore realising the body to be the cause of miseries, for fulfilment of objective, keeping its company is the directive of Gyan only.

Encouragement for tolerating the hardships

This is described in next two shlokas:

Shloka 118: Bhagwan Adinath relinquishing entire kingdom like straw, performing Tapa remaining hungry without pride, being humble desirous of food, not getting food for long period, kept wandering around other’s houses. Hence for own objective the hardship inflicted by others is acceptable and not for others.

Meaning: The one who wishes to fulfil an objective, he in spite of undergoing some troubles wishes to fulfil his objective. Just as RishabhNath renounced his kingdom , then on account of Antaraya for food, for its sake he wandered around other’s houses humbly. Therefore for fulfilment of own objective these great people did such an act then why other’s should feel ashamed? Further without doing it, how can the accomplishment of one’s objective be carried out? Hence those desirous of accomplishment  should tolerate some hardships  for attaining Moksha.

The nature of destiny is incomprehensible

Shloka 119: For whom prior to his arrival in the womb, Indra folds his hands like a servant, who himself is creator of the world i.e. Karma Bhoomi  ( This is said from aspect of imparting knowledge of the Karma Bhoomi), whose son became Chakravarthy owner of nine treasures- such great person Adinath Swamy wandered on earth for six months remaining hungry – this is matter of great surprise. In this world the lord is  terrible karma, whose nature is completely incomprehensible, no one can protect against it.

Meaning: Someone may think that I shall accumulate the wealth etc. and prevent the causes of miseries and become happy; but in the world no one is capable of such purushartha that on fruition of karma he can prevent it.

Tirthankara Rishabh Deva had Indra like a servant and he himself was capable of creating the world. His son was Chakravarthy- in spite of having such affluence, on account of fruition of Antaraya he wandered for six months for the sake of food, then what is there to tell about others?

Therefore with fruition of Karma difficulties arise more or less, even then they should be tolerated and it should be contemplated that in the world the Karmas only are powerful, hence eliminating the worldly state is the deed beneficial to self. With such conviction efforts for Moksha should be made.

The glory of practitioners of Sanyam

In this way Samyak Darshan etc. form three worships were described. How for their supreme accomplishment, the practitioner engaged with primacy of shastra-gyan etc. only can fulfil the objective properly, not otherwise. Hence the form of Gyan-worship experienced internally by the practitioner is described next:

Shloka 120: Sanyami (abstinent) person in the beginning is like a lamp with the primacy of illumination and later like a bright sun accompanied with both heat and illumination.

Meaning: The practitioner of Moksha in the initial stage is like a lamp. Just as a lamp illuminates pot and pans etc. using oil etc. ingredients, in the same way he knows Jivas etc. substances by means of Shastra etc. Later he becomes like a sun. Just as sun is able to illuminate several substances by its nature and is powerful, in the same way he also is knower of the substances specifically by his own nature and practitioner of Tapa etc. – such is the sequence.

Comparison of Gyanis with lamp

Jiva the worshipper of Gyan- how he practices:

Shloka 121: This knowledge form Jiva, illuminating like a lamp in Gyan and Charitra, washing/removing  the karma form kohl illuminates self and others:

Meaning: The worshipper of Gyan is like a lamp. Just as lamp brightens with illumination and removing kohl, illuminates self and pots-pans etc. other substances , in the same way the Gyani is illuminated with Gyan-Charitra and performing Nirjara of karmas knows soul and body etc. as they are.

Sequence of renunciation of Shubha and Ashubha

Jiva performing knowledge worship as described above, with the generation of rationality by means of scriptures, sequentially relinquishing Shubha and Ashubha manifestations, taking recourse to shuddha manifestations attains salvation :

Shloka 122: Just as without attaining evening state, the sun does not set and become dark, in the same way this Jiva attains shuddha state from Shubha state after relinquishing ashubha state with knowledge of Agams.

Meaning: So long as the sun does not attain reddish state of the evening, it does not set and the darkness is not revealed. In the same way the soul becoming free of ashubha ragas, sequentially attaining Shubha raga form attains shuddha keval state. Then the darkness of agyan etc. does not appear again.

The Tapa of Gyanis and his affection towards Shruta is benedictory

Jiva manifested in the form of knowledge worship has Shubha raga in the form of affinity towards Tapa and Shastras, hence how can he attain salvation- this question is answered next:

Shloka 123: Just as the reddishness of the sun in the morning represents sunrise, in the same way for Gyani Jiva free of the darkness of ignorance, the affinity towards Tapa and Shastras is for fruition of his benediction.

Meaning: The reddishness prevalent at sunset in the evening is the same as the that in the morning at sun rise also ; however between the reddishness of the morning and evening there is a difference. In the morning, the darkness of night is destroyed and the reddishness of sunrise is cause for pure appearance of sun in the future. In the same way for the Gyani Jiva has raga towards sensual subjects and similar raga towards tapa and shastras etc.; however the raga towards tapa and shastras is generated destroying ignorance of the form of Mithyatva similar to sunrise state, which is a cause for generation of pure Keval state of the Jiva in future.

The abundance of flaws in Ashubha Raga

In the next shloka the abundance of flaws in ashubha ragas contrary to Shubha raga are narrated:

Shloak 124: This Jiva forgoing illumination spread like that of sun, following darkness  by indulgence in ragas attains nether world of Narak.

Meaning: The setting sun gives up its illumination spread and attains the sunset reddishness which would be followed by darkness. That sun according to shastras of Jyotish as well as worldly beliefs enters Nether world; in the same way the corrupted soul relinquishes his Gyan bhava which was present and attains violence etc. form pap raga bhava which would lead him to Agyan. Thus this soul traverses to Narak etc. of nether world and lower states of Nigod paryayas.

In this way although both Shubha and Ashubha ragas are despicable, but in lower state the Shubha raga is means for future purity in some respect, hence it is mildly condemnable while ashubha raga is means for Kugati ( inferior births) in future hence totally condemnable; therefore it should be definitely relinquished.

Journey of Moksha Marg

Those jivas desirous of Moksha who practice four types of Aradhana ( worships) without hypocrisy in the mind , they attain Moksha without hindrance:

Shloka 125: Where Gyan form guide walks in forefront, decency is companion, tapa form support is available, Charitra form guardian is there, resting place like swarga is there, qualities form guards are there. One  who is simple, who has abundance of Upasham form water, shade of the form of compassion and travel is of the form of spirit- with such provisions, the Munis traversing in the path reach their desired destination without hindrance.

Meaning: Just as some person travels to a city and if he gets proper guide etc. several assistances then he can reach that town without hindrance; in the same way if the bhavya jiva desirous of Moksha  gets knowledge etc. form provisions then he attains Moksha without hindrance.

Just as the guide tells the route to the pilgrim, in the same way the Gyan decides the right and wrong Tatvas in the Moksha Marg.

Just as with woman companion  the journey is comfortable, in the same way with dharma form modesty as companion the Moksha Marg is traversed comfortably.

If the companion is capable of spending then there is no laxity in travel, in the same way with means of Tapa there is no laxity in Moksha Marg.

Just as in travelling in a Palanquin avoids tiredness of climbing, in the same way practicing of Moksha Marg with passion free charitra bhava does not cause misery.

If the  resting places on the route are comfortable then one could rest on the way , in the same way in Moksha Marg the resting place is Swarga, where one could take rest comfortably.

If some guards are along with then no one can rob, in the same way in Moksha Marg forgiveness etc. qualities are protectors hence anger etc. do not rob.

If the route is straight then travel is easy, in the same way the Moksha Marg is simple and non treacherous. Hence one could traverse the same comfortably.

If water is available at different places enroute then the misery of thirst etc. are not experienced, in the same way in Moksha Marg the Upasham Bhava form water prevents misery of thirst.

If the route is shaded then there is no trouble due to hot sun, in the same way in Moksha Marg the compassion towards self and others avoids misery.

Just as by travelling one reaches the destination , in the same way traversing with the pure spirit in Moksha Marg one attains Moksha.

Just as with the accompaniment of above described provisions the pilgrim reaches his desired destination, in the same way the follower of Moksha Marg also with suitable provisions described above attains Moksha state.

The highly poisonous form of women

The possible hindrances in Moksha Marg are described in five shlokas next:

Shloka 126: The description of snakes belonging to poison-eyes snake family is false, since we see the poison-eyes nature  in   the women directly ourselves. Even their insinuating looks with half open eyes causes heat in the entire body of the Lok. By their renunciation you have become their opponent. Hence angry with you, to corrupt you they are wandering all around. They are just poison in the garb of women, hence don’t be influenced by them.

Meaning: In the world, the stories of such snakes have been heard, whose sighting itself causes the effect of snake bite  in the body. But this is just metaphorical language. This is not true. However with the insinuating looks  of the women, immediate sexual awakening occurs generating intense heat like poison. Hence they only should be said to be having poisonous eyes.

Here the Munis are being preached that while others are slaves of women, you have renounced them, therefore they wish to be cause for your corruption ; hence don’t appear in front of them. In the Moksha Mrag , the influence of women only is the greatest hindrance.

There is no medicine for the poison of the women form snake

Shloka 127: Sometimes on being angry the snakes bites resulting in death and there are some medicines available for treatment of their poison. However these women form snakes bite on being angry as well as on being pleased. Yogishwaras, on being seen by the women in this Lok or the other Lok or upon seeing the women by themselves are bitten by them again and again. There is no medicine for the poison of this woman form snake.

Meaning: In the Lok the snake is treated as extremely dangerous and people fear them, while women are considered to be extremely desirable and they are trusted. Therefore to extricate from the raga towards women, they are compared to snake and are  described as being more dangerous than snake.

The snake bites only upon being angry, but women kill jivas upon being angry by some design, as well as  on being pleased by enhancing the restlessness of jivas.

The snake kills only once, but the women cause death again and again in this Lok as well as other Lok.

The snake kills by biting, but women kill men by seeing them or just by men seeing them (without women seeing men).  

There are several medicines for treatment of snake poison, but there is no medicine for treatment of sexual desire  generated by women.

In this way the woman form snake corrupts even the one traversing Moksha Marg, hence they should not be trusted.

Inducement for having attachment towards salvation form woman only

Shloak 128: This beautiful woman in the form of Moksha Lakshmi is the best heroine, who is unavailable to general public ; just any person cannot approach her. Even then she is quite favourite of the jivas of the world, since those who know her nature, they all desire her.

She has affinity towards qualities i.e. those having qualities only can acquire her. If you desire to acquire her, then you decorate her with ornaments of the form of jewel trio etc. and do not even talk about the worldly women explicitly, since women are generally jealous. You enhance your affection towards Moksha Lakshmi only – with this means you shall attain her.

Meaning:  Here in metaphorical language the Moksha Lakshmi is described as woman. Just as a person desires to subjugate a woman then he does not even talk about other woman and enhances his affection towards her only and pleases her with ornaments etc. In the same way if you desire Moksha Lakshmi then do not even talk about worldly women, enhance your affection towards her only, please her with jewel trio etc. – this only is the means for her attainment.

Just as women have jealousy with each other, hence of the two opponent women only one can be pleased. In the same way the Moksha Lakshmi and worldly women have jealousy and adversary nature between themselves hence only one can be attained. Therefore relinquishing the worldly women , the Moksha Lakshmi should be the objective of attainment.

Comparison of woman with lake

Shloka 129: Women are like lakes. They appear gracious by their laughter form purity, oblique pleasant waves form meaningful words form water and lotus face. Many foolish people being thirsty at the shore of this woman form lake are swallowed by the desire form crocodile and they cannot be rescued, i.e. they meet the end of life.

Meaning : Just as a lake appears beautiful with pure water waves and lotus flowers externally. But an aquatic jiva , crocodile by name also stays there. Some foolish person goes there for quenching his thirst and stands at the shore of the lake. Oh! He he just gone to quench his thirst only , but the crocodile has pulled him with his jaws and swallowed him. This person cannot come out now and meets his death there.

In the same way these women also appear gracious like lake with their laughter and meaningful words and lotus form faces. Hence externally they appear to be pleasing since they are means for satisfaction of sexual desires. Some ignorant person thirsty with sexual desires went near them and started looking at them from a distance. Oh! He had just gone to quench his thirst but the carnal desires corrupted him completely. Now he does not awaken and upon death takes birth in sthavar etc. form paryayas. Hence these women should not be trusted.

Women are hunting ground created by  carnal desires

Shloka 130: Devilish and angry senses form hunters create a raga form fire surrounding the residence of the victim thereby generating fear in every possible way. Then the fearful Manushya form deer being distressed run towards safe place for protection. But Oh! Oh!! They reach their death place created by the Carnal desire form master of the hunters in the form of deception of women.

Meaning: Just as servants of a master hunter create a fire surrounding the area where deer are residing and ensure a path for them to exit safely where they would be hunted. When the deer fearful of the fire take the same path for protection against fire, the master hunter ambushes them there and kills them.

In the same way the carnal desires are the master whose servants are the senses. The senses corrupt the jivas by generating raga towards all sensory subjects. In the Lok there is another substance found called women. These Jivas distressed by the ragas, approach the women with the hope of getting relief, but there the master hunter in the form of carnal desires wounds/ corrupts them with his arrows of desires which make them even more distressed. Therefore women should not be trusted believing them to be safe.

In this way the tendency for external indulgence is negated and now the tendency for internal indulgence is negated in the next shloka:

Shamelessness in lusting towards women

Shloka 131: O shameless! This body of yours with tapa form fire has become like a half burnt dead body which is fearsome and repulsive , do you not see it? Unnecessarily why are you getting attached towards it? O corrupt! Under influence of desires you do not feel scared of women and wish their company; but those women being  mercurial and coward are scared of you in reality and run away seeing your fearsome condition.

Meaning: This preachment it being imparted to those who have accepted ordination but still have lust towards women on account of carnal desires- Your body on account of Tapa is like a half burnt dead body which is fearsome and repulsive and still you desire women’s company. Oh! It is their nature that those whose body appears to be ugly, they make fun of him and run away from him . Hence O shameless! You will not get their company, why unnecessarily you harm yourselves? After attaining this state you should proceed for your own welfare.
Continued….

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