18.The Salutation of “Mahavriti” (Observer of five great Vows): Smile of Self-Confidence

Chapter-18

The Salutation of “Mahavriti” (Observer of five great Vows): Smile of Self-Confidence
The supreme saint practises five great vows. His practice is linked with unfailing feeling of faith in “Agant” (Jain scripture) pro­duced by restraint of the inner heart. He does not fear for unexpected disasters. He believes that the conduct advised in Jain scripture is always indubitable. Well! If some accumulated sinister Karma does activate, then it is better to endure its outcome with equanimity, taking it as testing time.

Chaturmas of Achharya Shri was in progress in Kumbhoj (Bahubali), when a resident of Mumbai, adherent to Jainism and a virtuous merchant, Poonam Chand Ghasilal Ji Johri planned to arrange a visit for the whole congregation of Achharya Shri to the holy pilgrim-center, Shri Sammed Shikhar Ji, with full gran­deur and appropriate decorum of Jain asceticism. The merchant had earlier expressed this desire before Achharya Shri a few times but in the absence of favourable opportunity and the order of the Guru, his desire remained unfulfilled. This time Achharya Shri gave his consent knowing well that the merchant’s feelings had genuinely generated from the bottom of his heart.

This good news came to the knowledge of Jain commu­nity on the auspicious day of Hindi month of 'Kartik Krishna Pritipada’ of ‘Veersamvat’ 2453 (year 1926). And on the conclu­sion of ‘Ashtanhika festival’, the congregation, in the proximity of Achharya Shri, decided to leave for Bihar Province.

Digambar Saints had not entered contemporary Northern India for the past hundreds of years as it was a Muslim dominant area. One day an elderly Pandit came to Achharya Shri and pay­ing his obeisance affectionately, requested, “O worthy Guru! People of Northern India are wicked and of crooked nature. I have not seen Digambar Saints visiting that area in my whole life. When the congregation enters that area, I am afraid that irre­ligious and envious people may cause impediments to the con-oraitafi An”The mental strength of contemporary Shravaks was not grand and glorious at the political and social level. Therefore, that elderly Pandit suggested Achharya Shri to exhort or win some god over (semi divine being) to associate and accompany him for the protection of the congregation. Having heard that placidly, Achharya Shri questioned him, “You are so learned but has your “Mithyatava” (false belief) come to an end? Otherwise you would have not given such an advice, inconsistence to Jain Scripture?” Pandit Ji did not understand Achharya Shri’s intention fully and courteously requested him to explain further. Achharya Shri again counter questioned, “Can a “ Vriti” (devout) or “Mahavriti” (true devout saint observing five great vows) salute an “Avriti” (non- devout)?” Pandit Ji replied, “Not at all Maharaj Shri. How can a Vriti salute an AvritiV Maharaj Shri told, “In order to learn a “Vidya” (any particular skill) or win a semi-divine god over, it is necessary to salute him and saluting' an Avriti amounts to append­ing a fault in the sacred vow”. Pandit Ji became silent hearing this logic. Seeing him serious, Achharya Shri said, “What is there to fear about? We have deep faith in ‘Panch-ParmeshthV (i.e. the five supreme souls Arihanta, Siddha, Achharya, Upadhyaya, and Sarv Sadhu). There will be no impediment for us by their bless­ings and in case any such unexpected trouble occurs because of intense rise of our unpleasant pain-causing Karmas, then we and our congregation are ready to endure it.”

The apprehensions of that affectionate Pandit Ji disap­peared before irrepressible Ijoldness and self-confidence of Achharya Shri. His heart was transformed and a voice came out from his inside “O Lord! Bestow your favours on the “Bhavya Jeevas” (i.e., the one who is capable of attaining “Moksha” or capable of liberating him/her/itself from the vicious cycle of life and death) for the purpose of flowing the river of religion on the soil of Northern India, and start this journey with the holy feeling of pilgrimage. This auspicious path of yours shall undoubtedly be a virtuous one by the blessings of Jinendra Dev. A kind of strong feelings to this effect rises in my heart repeatedly”.