Golden Steps To Salvation

SR No.: 008710
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 224
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Religion
File Size: 12 MB

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As long as we desire sensual and worldly pleasures we remain in samāsta (worldly life) and moksha is the freedom from those desires. The enlightened say that samsāra means the existence of desires in our hearts and moksha is their annihilation. Moksha is freedom from Kashayas or delusions. “Moksha or salvation does not lie in Digambaratva (one branch of Jainism), Shvetambaratva (the other branch of Jainism), logical reasoning, intellectual disputation or in the defence of one's doctrines. Real salvation is freedom from Kashāyas (mental delusions). Tapa (spiritual austerity) comes after right vision, right knowledge and right action. It inrceases our spiritual glory.”
A certain gentleman was summoned to the court on the charge of having beaten somebody. The complainant said to the judge, "My Lord, this gentleman assaulted me. Do justice to me." The judge said to the gentleman, "How fiercely did you beat him?" The gentleman went to the complainant and using all his strength beat him and said, "My Lord! Think that I beat him with onefourth of this fierceness." In this manner the gentleman beat the complainant in the bazaar once and again in the court so that he might not complain against him in future. Through the same action he also answered the judge's question. So his action illustrates the proverb, 'Sho two birds with one arrow'. In the same manner Tapas or austerity helps us to achieve physical and spiritual welfare and also to destroy our Karmas.
We should perform Tapas with faith and enthusiasm otherwise it will be futile.
A certain gentleman opened a Cool drinks shop in Chowpāti in partnership with another merchant. The two partners invested money; each investing half the capital. They decided to divide between themselves the price of each glass of the sherbet. In consequence, each would get 50 paise and each could retain as his profit what remained after deducting the expenses. They sat in the shop for a long time. Not a single customer came. The first gentleman felt thirsty. He asked for one glass of the sherbct. The other replied, “This is a shop; you cannot get anything free." The first gentleman had one