English Translation of Acharya Pujyapada swami’s Ishtopadesh – Deliberation (vivechana) and Poetic Translation by Acharya shri Vidyasagarji maharaj
Utthānikā (Introduction)
Resolving the disciple’s doubt, the Acharya replied, “Practicing vows and disciplines is not futile” (in fact, it is meaningful). Not only that, but it is also inappropriate to label self-devotion as unworthy. Supporting this statement, the following verse is presented:
यत्र भावः शिवं दत्ते द्यौः कियद्दूरवर्तिनी । यो नयत्याशु गव्यूतिं क्रोशार्धे किं स सीदति ?॥4॥
Yatra bhāvaḥ śivaṃ datte dyauḥ kiyaddūravartinī।
Yo nayatyāśu gavyūtiṃ krośārdhe kiṃ sa sīdati?॥4॥
Poetic Translation (Padyanuvad )
Jin-bhāvoṃ se niyam rūp se, miltā hai jab Śivpur hai,
Un bhāvoṃ se bhalā! Batā do, kyā? Nā miltā Sur-pur hai।
Drutgati se jo vāhan yātrā, kai yojanon kī kartā,
Ardh-kosh kī yātrā karne meṃ bhī kyā? Vah hai ḍartā॥4॥
The soul that is capable of conferring the divine status when medi- tated upon, how far can the heavens be from him? Can the man who is able to carry a load to a distance of two koses feel tired when carrying it only half a kos?
Note – This verse is intended to settle the doubt that might now arise in the mind as to the respective merits of self-contemplation and the obser- vance of vows. especially in regard to the ability of the former to secure a rebirth in the heavenly-regions. The answer is that the soul’s contemplation cant grant both moksha as well as heavens, which are much nearer so to speak; since he who can easily cover a distance of four miles with out being fatigued is not likely to experience trouble in going only a mile. Self-con- templation thus, is much superior to the mere observance of vows, though the latter are able to lead to heavens for the time being.
The emotions that lead to liberation should not be aimed at merely attaining heaven. Such a thought is contradictory because what leads to the ultimate goal cannot reasonably be pursued for a lesser one. If something can achieve the supreme result, then attaining a lower objective is naturally within its scope, without needing special emphasis. It is certain that the three jewels (Ratnatraya)—right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct—grant not only liberation but also positions of celestial glory, such as becoming a Deva or even an Indra (king of gods).
Deliberation (vivechana)
Acharya Samantabhadra Swami beautifully articulates this in his masterpiece Ratnakaranda Shravakachara:
“Devendra-chakra-mahimanamameya-manam,
Rajendra-chakramavanindra-shiraurchaniyam;
Dharmendra-chakramadharikrita-sarva-lokam,
Labdhva Shivam cha Jinabhaktirupaiti Bhavyah.” (Verse 41)
A soul with right faith (Samyagdrishti) can attain not only the position of a Devendra (leader among gods) or Chakravarti (universal emperor), but also the supreme position of Dharmendra-chakra. This position holds unparalleled influence across the three worlds, attracting all glory, prosperity, and power to its possessor. Such a soul ultimately attains the state of liberation (Shivam).
A Tirthankara is one who constructs the ford (Tirtha) to transcend the cycle of birth and death. Their birth heralds the establishment of paths that lead souls to liberation. Even while residing in celestial realms, their very existence brings peace and harmony to the human world. They are not just sovereigns of a region but are considered the masters of the three worlds, inspiring transformation and spiritual awakening.
The life of a Tirthankara resembles a grand stage where countless beings converge for salvation. Through their practice of the sixteen extraordinary contemplations (Shodasha-karana Bhavana), they attain this exalted status. While the twelve contemplations (Dwadasha Bhavana) lead to detachment, the sixteen specifically contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to liberation.
Avoidance of Desires and Passions
True ethical conduct (Samyak Charitra) is not merely about avoiding sensory indulgences but also about steering clear of passions (Kashayas). Sensual pleasures and passions are closely intertwined; the presence of one kindles the other. When passions arise, they disturb the purity of the soul’s disposition (Parinam), ultimately disrupting the path to liberation.
By practicing the Ratnatraya, one avoids both sensory indulgences and passions, safeguarding the purity of their soul. While liberation (Shivam) remains the ultimate goal, interim rewards such as positions of Devendra and Chakravarti can also be attained through such practices. Acharya highlights this in the term Labdhva, illustrating that the devotee of Lord Jina ascends through these stages, culminating in the attainment of liberation.
The practice of vows, discipline, and devotion is far from futile. It leads to unparalleled spiritual and material rewards, culminating in liberation. The path prescribed by the Tirthankaras is not only the gateway to the supreme goal but also ensures significant progress and prosperity in the interim stages. This underscores the meaningfulness of self-devotion and spiritual discipline.
Question: What does a devotee of Lord Jinendra do?
Answer: A devotee of Lord Jinendra attains Samyak Darshan (right faith) by worshipping the Lord, progressing through divine states like Deva-Indra (king of gods) or Chakravarti (emperor), and ultimately achieving liberation (moksha).
The great philosopher Acharya Samantabhadra Swami, in his work Ratnakarandaka Shravakachara, highlighted the importance of Samyak Darshan through numerous verses. He explained that worldly beings, desiring infinite happiness, often wonder whether worldly pleasures can coexist with the attainment of Samyak Darshan. He emphasized that while Samyak Darshan is a means to liberation, it can also grant material joys (bhukti), though the ultimate goal should always be liberation (moksha). Seeking material pleasures as the primary objective prevents liberation, as the two cannot coexist as ultimate aims.
Material pleasures, compared to fuel for a vehicle, are essential only to sustain the journey toward liberation. Just as fuel is necessary for a car to run, worldly comforts can support the path to liberation but should not become the focus. Acharya Swami advised focusing on the journey (liberation) rather than worrying about fuel (pleasures), as the latter will naturally accompany the path.
In Hinduism, a similar concept exists: one should act without attachment to the fruits of their actions. This philosophy differentiates between Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) for monks and ascetics, and Karma Yoga (the path of action) for householders, who act without seeking personal gain.
Acharya Swami further illustrated that offering selfless service, such as preparing meals for ascetics or fasting individuals, reflects a transformation from attachment-driven actions to devotion-driven actions. For instance, if a devotee refrains from eating until after feeding others, they elevate their motives from self-gratification to pure devotion. This shift showcases how a devotee’s mindset changes through the practice of bhakti (devotion), focusing on higher goals like serving others and attaining liberation.
Through unwavering devotion, a devotee can achieve divine states such as Deva-Indra or Chakravarti and, ultimately, the supreme state of a Tirthankara (enlightened teacher). However, the path to Tirthankara is unique and cannot be attained through mere desire but requires Samyak Darshan and the cultivation of pure intentions (sixteen virtues). Unlike other divine states, the attainment of Tirthankara does not necessitate monkhood but does require unblemished right faith.
The narrative also draws parallels with the lives of individuals like Bharat Chakravarti, who, despite their immense wealth and royal stature, practiced unwavering devotion and meditation. Such figures demonstrate that true devotion transcends worldly attachments and paves the way for liberation. Even amidst material abundance, they prioritized spiritual practices, illustrating how devotion can lead to both worldly and spiritual fulfillment.
Ultimately, devotion empowers a devotee to ascend to higher states and, over successive lifetimes, achieve liberation. The analogy of a guest being offered light refreshments before a meal is used to explain how worldly joys (bhukti) serve as temporary sustenance for the soul on its journey toward the eternal fulfillment of liberation (moksha). This perspective fosters a shift in focus from fleeting pleasures to the ultimate spiritual goal, transforming the devotee’s life in profound ways.
Ultimately, it means that through devotion, one attains higher states until liberation is achieved. Later, in subsequent births, one becomes worthy of attaining liberation. For instance, if you visit someone as a guest during mealtime, and they tell you that their grandfather will arrive at noon, would you leave the guest hungry until then? No, the guest would be offered some snacks in the meantime to satiate their hunger. Snacks do not fill the stomach completely; otherwise, how would one enjoy the meal at noon? There is no deep attachment to snacks, but the faith lies in the main meal, and snacks are meant to sustain that faith. Similarly, to maintain the faith for the ultimate meal of liberation, it is essential to have faith in the snacks of devotion. As a result of devotion, even if liberation is not attained immediately, one certainly achieves higher realms like heaven as an intermediate reward.
Look, even in the worldly life, if one’s goal changes, significant transformation occurs. All worldly pleasures seem futile. Diseases fade away, and preparation for union (with the self) begins. Diseases belong to the body, not the soul. Observe how perception changes dramatically; everything transforms. A yogi thinks that these diseases are of the body, not the soul, and that worldly pleasures are not meant for the soul. They are merely for maintaining the body, while experiences refine the soul. When this perception changes, the yogi avoids indulgence and attachments even while living in the world.
Maharaj! Today, there are some rare individuals who appear as divine beings in every sense. Even amidst kashayas (passions), they remain unaffected—that is the essence of being a devata (divine being). They are gentle in their passions. Bharat Chakravarti, though a householder and a ruler of immense wealth, never forgot to engage in devotion to the divine. He was a chakravarti (universal ruler), detached from restraints, and distant from ascetic discipline. Yet, he engaged in spiritual practices akin to a monk. The Mahapurana mentions that Bharat Chakravarti observed samayik (meditative practice) three times a day. Despite being a ruler to whom thirty-two thousand crowned kings bowed, Bharat Chakravarti dedicated himself to spiritual practice during all three periods of the day. There is no rule that only ascetic monks can engage in devotion or samayik. Bharat Chakravarti was self-motivated in his spiritual practices, unlike many who need external encouragement.
Great personalities wake up during the brahma muhurta (early morning hours), while lazy or negligent individuals remain asleep—they do not attain such prosperity. Even as a chakravarti, Bharat immersed himself in praising the three-world lord, Adinath Bhagwan, during all three periods of the day. During Ashtahnika Parvas (spiritual festivals), he, along with 96,000 queens, engaged in devotion like ascetics. These queens, dressed in white and resembling Aryikas (female monks), would sit in spiritual discussions, creating an atmosphere that seemed like a congregation of monks. Such devotion attracts others and inspires reverence.
When one is drawn toward liberation, devotion naturally makes one forget all worldly comforts. Observing such devotion, others wonder who this individual is, so deeply immersed in the divine. Such an environment is naturally fostered by the spiritually inclined. Without such an atmosphere, attachment and passions cannot be subdued. Despite having endless material wealth, Bharat Chakravarti adhered to devotion and samayik with discipline. During these moments, he renounced all negligence and worldly attachments, focusing on the contemplation of his pure self, free from passions.
This is referred to as “Yatra Bhavah Shivam Datte”—where the emotions leading to liberation prevail, even heaven is assured along the way as an intermediate station. Heaven is merely a stop; liberation is the ultimate destination.
Swadhyay Ishtopadesh Gatha 3 & 4
Swadhyay Ishtopadesh Gatha 4 & 5
Ishtopadesh Swadhyay youtube playlist
गाथा 1 (Gatha 1) | गाथा 2 ( Gatha 2 )| गाथा 3 ( Gatha 3)| गाथा 4 | गाथा 5 | गाथा 6 | गाथा 7 | गाथा 8 | गाथा 9 | गाथा 10 | गाथा 11 | गाथा 12 | गाथा 13 | गाथा 14
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