After brushing, bathing, praying and having breakfast, Brahmadutt, Pingal and everyone else went back to Ruturaj Park. After worshipping Acharya Shri Vijaysinh, they went to Acharya Shikhi. Bowing down to him, all of them sat near him. As per Acharya Shri Vijaysinh’s instructions, other monks and nuns got seated in their respective places.
Beginning the conversation, wise Pingal addressed Acharya Shikhi and said, “Monk, all of us are surrounded by thousands of enemies. Those enemies are making endless efforts to defeat us. How did you defeat those enemies?”
Shikhi said, “If we conquer one, five surrender. If we win five, ten accept their defeat. If we win ten, all enemies keep their weapons down!”
“Great monk, can you please elaborate?
Monk Shikhi explained, “An uncontrollable soul is our first enemy! I conquered it firstly as a result of which five senses came under my control. I defeated the five senses due to which four types of ill-feelings, three types of filth and three inauspicious yog accepted defeat on their own. In this way, it became easy to win over all the enemies.”
Pingal asked, “Most of the beings in this world are tied to some bondages, whereas you seem to be free from all bondages, what’s the reason behind this?”
“I have broken all those bondages by making extra efforts. This is the reason I am living my life free from bondages!”
“Which are those bondages?”
“The major ones are the bondages of attachment and hatred!”
“Great monk, how did you destroy the vine that takes birth in the heart, remains there and gives rise to poisonous fruits?”
“I plucked out that plant from its roots, broke it into pieces and threw it away! So now when there is no plant, there is no scope for poisonous fruits to grow on it.”
“Can you tell us the name of that root?”
“The name of that root is desire! It is too dangerous! Its fruits are also very poisonous.”
“You are right. But there is an intense fire in the body. That fire is constantly blazing and slowly burning the body. How did you extinguish that fire?”
“Pingal, I keep pouring divine and pure water from the great rains on that fire. This is how the fire extinguishes and doesn’t burn me.”
“Which is that fire and great rain?”
“Anger, ego, deceit and greed are the fire. Great rain is equanimity. Water of knowledge, modesty and penance keeps flowing from it. I pour this water on those four types of fire because of which it cannot burn me!”
“A huge wicked horse is running and creating ruckus all around! You are sitting on that horse but still, that horse isn’t being successful in taking you off-track. What is the reason behind this?”
“I catch hold of that horse and keep it tied with the rope of knowledge. That is why, that horse of mine doesn’t go on the wrong path. Instead, it keeps walking on the right path.”
“What is the name of that horse?”
“That horse is our mind! I keep a check on it with spiritual knowledge!”
“There are a lot of wrong paths in this world. A lot of people become victims of those paths and divert from the right path. But you always walk on the right path, neither do you get lost nor do you stop. What is the reason behind it?”
“Pingal, I very well know the people on the right path and on the wrong one. Hence, I don’t get lost from the right path.”
“My lord, which is that right path? And which is the wrong path?
“The path shown by Tirthankars is the right path. All other paths are diversions. I can say this undoubtedly that the path shown by Tirthankars is the most ideal path!”
“Acharyaji, which island is the refuge for creatures drowning in the great currents of rivers like Sindhu?
“That island is huge and its name is Dharm Island.”
“My lord, if there is one boat; you are in that boat and that boat is lost in the ocean. Then how will you reach the shore?”
“Pingal, boats which have holes in them, don’t reach the shore. They keep wandering and end up sinking in the ocean. The boat which is without any hole will surely reach the shore.”
“What is the name of that boat?”
“That boat is our body. The boatman is our soul. The physical world is the ocean. Great men board this boat and reach the shore!”
“Most of the people are lost in darkness. Who shows them light and begins to spread the ray of light on their life path?”
“The rising sun!”
“Which is that sun?”
“Tirthankar! All beings receive their kindness and light of knowledge.”
“Great monk, is there any pain-free place for a creature who is afraid of physical and mental pain? Which is that place according to your perspective?”
“There is an eternal place at the tip of the universe. There is neither any pain nor disease, no birth old age or death! But it isn’t easy to reach that place. It is very tough. It’s a steep climb on a slippery cliff!”
“What is the name of that place?”
“The state of perfection, liberation, moksh, supremacy, freedom!”
Pingal got shivers down the spine. Filled with emotions, he said, “Great monk, your wisdom is ultimate. You have complete knowledge of scriptures. Your communication skills are incomparable. Today, all of us feel immensely satisfied!”
Even Brahmadutt was listening to the conversation attentively. Other monks and nuns present there were also listening to the knowledgeable discussion with curiosity.
After the discussion got over, Brahmadutt said, “You have glorified not only our family but also the Acharyas. But I have a wish, please visit Koshambi with Gurudev once. Now, my life is standing on the edge of death. Please bless Koshambi in my presence. The people of Koshambi will dance out of happiness. Everyone will get attracted towards the teachings of the enlightened, become devoted and oriented on the path of salvation.”
“Your intentions are good but in this case, Gurudev’s permission is required. So, put forward your request in front of him.”
“Your response is completely valid! We are going to Gurudev to keep our request.”
***
After staying in Vishakhapuri for a few days, Brahmadutt, Pingal and all their attendants left for Koshambi. Even Acharyaji left Vishakhapuri after completing their one-month halt.
***
Monkhood means a life of knowledge and meditation! Understanding the concepts explained by Tirthankars, thinking, memorising and picking up its essence. Then, sharing that knowledge with those who are capable and deserving. This cycle goes on continuously throughout life!
Just as monks remain indulged in knowledge and meditation, even nuns stay occupied in knowledge and meditation as per the instructions of their Gurudev. Acharya Shri Vijaysinh trains them and takes care of their discipline. Acharyaji was at Tilak Park in the Shrungar Tilak City. All the monks were staying in their respective cottages in that park. The nuns had halted in the city. They would come to Acharyaji at an appropriate time, worship him, listen to discourses, do scriptural study, and then return to the city.
The sun was about to rise. The sky was clear. The park was looking beautiful. The nuns entered the park. They were stunned looking at the beauty of nature.
Nun Kamlini spontaneously said, “Just look, the beauty of nature is so enchanting! It is so peaceful, exuberant and wonderful here!” Another nun said, “I cannot see the slightest beauty in nature.”
“What are you saying? Can you not see the beauty? Are you making fun of me? Are you speaking the truth?”
“Yes, I’m speaking the truth. You’re saying nature is beautiful. However, instead of beauty, I’m seeing ugliness in nature!”
Kamlini stayed quiet. All of them worshipped Acharyaji and asked about his well-being. Then all of them went to Acharya Shikhi. After worshipping him, they took his permission and sat down.
After a few moments, Kamlini asked, “Is nature complete or incomplete?”
“Nature is incomplete.”
Kamlini was shocked.
“Is nature really incomplete? Imperfect?”
“Yes, this is reality!”
“Can you please explain?”
“Sure! See, nature is incomplete, that is why, humans have taken support of artificiality. Look at the ugliness of nature in these beautiful places during winter! There will be fog all around. Biting cold winds will be blowing. Our bodies will shiver due to cold! Due to hot winds in summer afternoons, our body burns, we sweat and spread odour. Humans invented mansions to save themselves from all such discomforts of nature. In winter, humans create bonfire to feel warm. In summer, humans try to find different ways to get rid of the heat! Nature doesn’t look into all comforts of humans. That is why, it is incomplete.”
“But Gurudev, these flowers are so innocent! There is so much attraction in their fragrance. There is so much sweetness in the sound of a cuckoo. The chirping of birds is so soothing!”
“Yes, I agree a flower is soft. But they also have thorns, right? Who knows, there might be tiny insects hiding in those petals! Its beauty and fragrance, both are momentary. What do we have to do with such short-lived beauty and fragrance?
Also, a cuckoo can only sing on the fifth note. If man listens to it for a long time, then he gets bored! And who can understand what a cuckoo says? Maybe she doesn’t say anything! There might be sweetness in the chirping of these birds but only with regard to tune! There is no language, that is why, it is without any feelings! There isn’t any moderation in the tone either, all notes echo together!”
“In my worldly life, I have seen pigeons bathing freely in the pond of the park in our palace. That was one of my favourite scenes! They would play and dance with each other. Neither did they have any kind of jealousy, hatred nor any bitterness or flaw. There life is so free and unbound! Sometimes, even my mind wishes to be like a pigeon!”
“Honestly speaking, if you were a pigeon, you would wish to be a human. Do you think that pigeons are happy and stress-free? Do you believe that they don’t have any rivals? This is your misconception! Fulfillment of desires is happiness and their non-fulfillment leads to sadness, this concept is simple and easy to understand, isn’t it? Do all the wishes of those pigeons get fulfilled? The bigger question is, do those pigeons even have something like wishes? Which other wish do they have apart from eating food and mating? You have seen birds and animals fighting for food, right? Fear troubles them so much! Have you seen the state of pigeons when eagles pounce on them? They feel so helpless!
These ignorant creatures think that humans living in the natural environment are happy. But they don’t understand that ignorant humans are never satisfied with their present state! Their general nature is such that whatever they have is less admired by them than what others have. A person took birth in a palace and grew up amidst all comforts. Yet he has indifference towards the palace and he feels that there is more happiness in huts made in the natural environment. He finds happiness in playing with animals in the open air of villages! But for once go and ask those villagers where do they find happiness? They will say happiness is in the palaces. Happiness is in having servants, horses, elephants, carriages and luxuries! This is why nature is incomplete. This park which you find beautiful is artificial and fake. If you see nature in its actual state, you will shiver out of fear!
A dangerous forest, terrifying jungle, where lions and tigers roam with tongues thirsty for blood! Where poisonous animals hide behind tall grass, sting people without any reason and kill them. Forget artificial lakes, the deep rivers flowing in the middle of the forest have crocodiles ready to hunt humans! When you will see all, this you will automatically understand the incompleteness of the nature.”
Nun Kamlini was looking at Acharyaji in astonishment. Till now, she used to consider Shikhi as an excellent monk with great conduct and intellect. Today, she was highly impressed with Shikhi’s fundamental knowledge and powerful presentation.
Her belief and devotion rose like high tide!
She hesitantly asked in a soft tone, “Gurudev, do we get to understand all this in scriptures?”
There was a smile on Acharyaji’s face. He said, “In the school of physical world, with the education, I have understood all this by observation of various situations and circumstances!”
“Amazing!”
“Often, the observation of external beauty gets dangerous for a monk! That observation boosts attachment and aversion. That is why, we should also look at the ugliness behind beauty. Whether that beauty is of body, flowers, tree, ocean, river, hills or mountains; when you get attracted to its beauty, just look inside. Look around! Find the ugliness, there will certainly be foulness. Looking at it, you should detach your mind.
I tell this to all of you, self-realisation and detachment is our soulfulness! Never let your heart be empty of it. Reasons for detachment are hidden everywhere in this world. Look for them and reflect on them!”
The first quarter of the day was about to end.
All the nuns worshipped Acharyaji and asked for his permission to return to their place.
