Page 164 - Courage Redifined

In this manner, if you differentiate between karmas and
purushartha and consider them to be independent, then you
can motivate yourself thinking, “Irrespective of the favourable
and unfavourable circumstances that karma gives me, I am
independent to think, act and speak positively. I will engage
myself in good religious activity, speak softly and not keep
my mind occupied in thoughts of hatred, lust, anger etc.”Can’t
such a thought process strengthen one’s fight against karmas
and increase ones enthusiasm manifold ?

Such is the power of purushartha that it attacks the negativity
generated by negative karmas! It can nullify the impact of
hatred, love, ego, etc.

Do not assume that the great men and sages of the past did
not possess these negative karmas. Lord Mahavira, after being
worshipped by even the Indras, still had Mohaniya karmas
after accepting diksha. That is why he become Vitraag*
Sarvagna* after 12.5 years from the time of his diksha and not
immediately. This proves that till then, even Lord experienced
the fruits of his Mohaniya karmas.

Q. : How did Lord Mahavira ultimately overcome these
negative feelings of love, hatred, etc. ?
A. : Lord had stopped the thoughts, actions and words which
boosted the negative feelings of love, hatred, ego, etc.
The emergence of these thoughts boosted the negative
feelings but efforts were made by Lord to overcome
them. Lord had completely stopped the negative efforts
by constantly engaging his mind in the contemplation
of Jain ideologies, staying almost silent and exercising
non- violence, restraint and penance with his body.

* Vitraag – One who is free of love and hatred
* Sarvagna – One who possesses omniscience i.e. infinite knowledge

154 Courage Redefined