Continuously Studying The Scriptures Leads To Peace In Life
- Sadhvi Kanakshri
North Howrah (Kolkata), 06 September, 2010
The second day of Paryushan Festival was celebrated as the “Swadhyaya Diwas” in the pious presence of Sadhvi Kanakshri ji. The relevance of swadhyay is very much today, because the academic knowledge takes us into the materialistic world which makes the life money centered. Education is limited to reading books and learning techniques of passing examinations to be able to earn livelihood. But the right knowledge is not attained.
Addressing the gathering of over thousand lay followers at Sanyam Samawasaran at SAM GARDEN in North Howrah Sadhvi Kanak shri ji said, “Swadhyay means study of self and study of the religious books and scriptures. The study of the self leads to uncovering the layers of ignorance and the knowledge which is there within oneself comes out. To know oneself and the soul is possible only if right knowledge is attained. The study of self and scriptures provides benevolence to the personality. One who devotes time in reading, understanding and contemplating the scriptures is superfluous to the worldly tensions. His thinking becomes positive and ill thought never find a place in his surroundings. Swadhyay is a special kind of penance which is easy and within reach of a lay person. It is only with the help of swadhyay that one gains detailed and reliable knowledge of heritage, culture, tradition and history. A regular practitioner of Swadhyaya gains clarity of inner vision and decisive thoughts. It leads to purification of ones internal soul. Sadhvi shri further advised the gathering of shrawaks and shrawikas to devote some time in their daily routine in studying the texts penned down by Acharya Mahaprajna. The literary work of His Holiness Acharya Mahaprajna is based on the experiments done by him and knowledge attained by him. He was a great philosopher. His thoughts provide solution to the present world problem of terrorism, non-violence leading to an environment of world peace. If one studies the same, he/she is sure to find a never ending peace & solutions to its entire problem. Swadhyaya establishes optimism and a samyak (righteous) view-point which leads to right conduct. Good and moral literature has changed the direction of life of many a great personalities. As soon as one attains samyaktwa, a special spiritual revolution takes place at the level of consciousness
Speaking about the life and teachings of Lord Mahavira and numerous births taken by his soul before attaining salvation and the path of gradual development of his consciousness, Sadhvishri said –“Jain religion is a philosophy of karmas attached to the soul. It believes in karma, rebirth and previous births. Soul is a creator, protector and destroyer. Soul in its purest form is called God. Every soul has potential to become God. Even Lord Mahavira had to take numerous births before attaining salvation. The bondage of karma keeps one moving around from one birth to another. Lord Mahavira took twenty seven births before gaining salvation and after being born as Nayasar, all of which have been illustrated in the Jain Scriptures. It was in his birth as Naysar that he attained samyaktava (clarity and purity of thoughts) He first came into communion with the Saints in his birth as Nayasar. He donated pure grains to them. He started his conduct as per their directives, listened to the discourses, and started living his life accordingly. The effort in right direction resulted in a spiritual revolution. His conscious spiritual thinking was born.”
Sadhvi Madhulata ji addressing the gathering said- “swadhyay is a chemistry of mind. It helps in awakening the inner strength. This leads to change in attitude and behaviour”
The regular evening Pratikraman was attended by over 500 lay followers. The ladies wing of Kolkata Mahila Mandal members participated in the namokar mantra chanting during the day and Kolkata Sabha Team led by Shri Karan Singh Nahata (President), Shri Narendra Kumar Manot (general secretary) and other members and also Uttar Madhya Kolkata Sabha members participated in the uninterrupted Namokar Mantra chanting in the night.In the evening at 5.45 P.M., hundreds of lay followers attended collective Pratikraman at Sanyam Samawasaran, Mahasabha Bhawan and also at various Sabha Bhawans. In the evening programme attended by hundreds of devotee shrawaks and shrawikas, Sadhvi Kanakshri ji enlightened the gathering with the way how seva led to rise of good luck in the life of Nayasar.
The Photos:
Sadhvi Kanak shri ji giving discourse on the life of old bhaw of Lord Mahavira
Shrawak and shravikas listening to the discourse
Women lay followers listening to the discourse
Office bearers of local and central sabha in samayik
Sadhvi Kanakshriji delivering message on the importance of swadhyaya in life
women lay followers taking blessings from Sadhvi Kanakshriji and other associate Sadhvis
Welcome banner for Paryushan 2010 by North Howrah Sabha