Page 79 - Desire to Disaster

We too have Jain dharma to guide us. What is holding us
back from attaining similar spiritual progress? If you learnt
how to make gems out of mud, would you be lazy about it?
No, you would work around the clock! Similarly, you have
the opportunity to break through the bondage of birth and
death. Do not waste not your time in worldly pursuits. Use
it wisely, to attain liberation by walking on the path of the
Jinas.

Extent of the Elephant’s Anger

The sādhvī was unperturbed. The elephant thundered across
the forest towards her. It seemed that the elephant would
smash her into the ground. But the Jain sādhvī had faith in
the Jina’s teachings and stood her ground unflinching.

The rutting elephant pounded the earth in his fury to get at
her. But the moment he saw her face, he was transfixed. All
his anger vanished. He was once again, the besotted Rupsen.
Sādhvī Sunanda’s beautiful face had captivated him once
again. He halted his thundering approach and stood perfectly
still, gazing at her beauteous countenance. So overjoyed was
he on seeing her, that he started dancing with joy!
So deep was Rupsen’s love for Sunanda, that after several
rebirths, he still could not get over his infatuation. It would
have been perfectly natural for him, as a male elephant, to be
attracted towards a female elephant. Instead, he was deeply
attracted towards Sunanda, a female human.

Two Types of Love: Praśasta {Auspicious} and Apraśasta
{Inauspicious}

If the subject of that love is auspicious, the love is auspicious.
If the subject is inauspicious, the love is inauspicious. Love
for the Tīrthañkara, for one’s preceptor, for one’s dharma, for
self-control and penance, is auspicious love. Worldly love is
inauspicious.
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