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1. Cherishing in the heart Vira
(Mahavira the 24th Tirthankara), who is the place
of residence of Lakshmi (perfection), whose sins have been
destroyed, I (Shri Guna-Bhadra Acharya) describe Atmanushasana for
the attainment of liberation by those who are capable of being
liberated.
2. Oh soul! Thou art always afraid of pain, and desirous of
pleasure. Therefore I also offer thee the object of thy desire,
which tends to give pleasure and remove pain.
3. If perchance, in this (advice), there be something, which
though sweet at fruition, is yet unpalatable, be thou not afraid of
that, just as a sick person is not (afraid) of bitter medicine.
4. Persons who are vain and full of talk, and
clouds which thunder but give no rain, are easy to find. But it is
difficult to find those kind-hearted persons who desire to uplift
the world, just as it is difficult to find clouds, full of rain and
beneficial to the world.
5. He, who wise, well-versed in the essence of
the Jaina scriptures, aware of the ways of the world, with no
sense-desires, brilliant, calm-minded, ever ready with answers,
patient of a volley of questions, powerful, attracting other minds,
leader of Saints, a repository of good qualities, and with speech
clear and sweet, should deliver religious discourses without
speaking ill of others.
6.
Perfect knowledge of the scripture; pure conduct; inclination to persuade
others (to the right path); keen interest in the propagation of the
right path (of liberation); obeisance to the learned;
pride-less-ness; knowledge of the world; gentleness;
desire-less-ness; whoever possesses these and other qualities of the
leader of ascetics, be he the Teacher of worthy people. |
