Dharma Shiksha - Class 15

Jai Jinendra everyone! Welcome to yet another recap of a super fun-filled yet knowledgeable Dharma Shiksha class. As you all know, the little ones are currently learning the “Samyaktva Sutra” – the first two lines of the “Arihanto Mah Devo” Path.

While it is important for the kids to learn the “akshars” of the Path, it is equally important they understand its meaning too.

But before that, they should know what the word “Samyaktva” actually means…

🪷Samyaktva - Meaning🪷

Samyaktva means having the right faith. It is trusting with all our heart whatever the Tirthankars and Kevalis have taught us, because they know the complete truth of the universe.

Sometimes, their teachings may feel difficult for us to understand. If that happens, we should not doubt them. Instead, we should think: “Maybe my mind is not yet wise enough to see what they see.”

For example: Imagine you are very small, and your mom or dad tells you: “Don’t touch the stove — it’s hot and will burn you.”

Now, maybe you don’t really understand what “burn” means. You might even think: “But it doesn’t look dangerous, it looks shiny!” 

Still, you trust your parents, because you know they love you and will never mislead you.

So even if you don’t fully understand, you believe and follow what your parents say — that is the same kind of strong faith we should have in our Tirthankars and Kevalis.

This is what real samyaktva looks like — steady and unshakable faith. Our trust should be so strong that if our Tirthankars say: “This night is actually day,” we should accept it without a question because they see the whole truth - just like your parents know the stove is dangerous even if you don’t understand it yet.

So “samyaktva” is basically right faith. For instance, if someone believes soul is non-living, that person does not have samyaktva yet.

Likewise, there are people who go to babas and other shady people to solve their problems instead of having faith on their Dharma.

Sometimes, these babas make them do terrible stuff like killing animals in the name of religion. A person who has samyaktva knows this is wrong. They have firm belief in their Dharma.

Now, let’s hear about someone who showed this kind of perfect faith — Arhanak Shravak. His samyaktva was so strong that even when a demon threatened to kill him, he didn’t give up his Dharma!

🪷Story Time: The Unshakeable Faith of Arhanak Shravak🪷

Long ago in Champanagari, there lived a wealthy merchant named Arhanak. Though blessed with riches and success, his real treasure was his unwavering devotion to Jain Dharma.

One time, Arhanak decided to do business in a far-off land. He set out on a trading voyage with a group of fellow merchants.

Their ship sailed into the Lavana Sea for days, carrying valuable goods toward distant lands. But as they reached the very heart of the sea, the skies darkened.

Suddenly, the calm waters turned wild. Waves rose high, crashing against the ship with fury. A violent wind howled, tossing the ship as though it were a leaf. And then — from the storm-filled sky — a fearsome demon appeared.

His voice boomed above the roar of the sea:“Arhanak! If you do not give up your Jain dharma, I will smash this ship and drown you and your companions! The dangerous beings of the sea will eat you all alive!”

The merchants quaked in terror. They turned to Arhanak in desperation:“Please, do as he says! Don’t risk all our lives!”

But Arhanak sat still, his face calm, his heart steady. Closing his eyes, he entered deep meditation (dhyan). From within, he sent his silent message to the demon:

“Do what you will. Come storm or death, angel or demon - I will never abandon my dharma.”

Enraged by this unshakable resolve, the demon roared. With immense strength, he lifted their ship in his monstrous hands and threatened to smash it into the sea. The merchants screamed and begged Arhanak again to give in. Yet, Arhanak did not flinch. His eyes were closed as he chose fearlessness and faith over surrender.

At last, the demon accepted defeat. He changed his form from the terrifying figure into a radiant, divine Dev. The demon was actually a Dev who had only been testing Arhanak’s devotion.

With folded hands, the Dev spoke:“Arhanak, your faith is unshakable. Even in the face of death, you did not abandon your dharma. I accept my defeat.”

As a mark of respect, he gifted Arhanak two brilliant, divine earrings.

The merchants, who had begged him to surrender, now looked upon Arhanak with reverence and awe. His calm courage had saved them all.

The Dev bowed to Arhanak’s unyielding faith.

With reverence, he placed two dazzling divine earrings in Arhanak’s hands. He said:

“I accept my defeat before your unshakable faith. Please forgive me.”

The merchants, who moments earlier had begged Arhanak to surrender, now looked upon him with awe. His serenity and courage had not only saved their lives but also inspired them with the true power of dharma.

Moral of the Story

Even in the face of overwhelming fear or grave danger, we must NEVER abandon our dharma. We must all strive to be like Arhanak Shravak when it comes to our faith in our religion.

🪷Samyaktva Sutra – Meaning🪷

As we explained before, Samyaktva Sutra refers to the first two lines of the “Arihanto” Path. In this Dharma Shiksha class, Pujya Shri Prabhas Muni Ji Maharaj explained its meaning word-by-word to the little ones. We’re trying to transcribe Gurudev’s words to the best of our limited knowledge and ability 🙏

🙏Arihanto Mah Devo🙏

This literally translates into - only Arihant Prabhu are our Dev. Now to avoid any confusion, we shall talk about two types of Devs – Let’s call one “god” and the other “GOD.”

Now ‘god’ refers to the Dev in Devlok.

They have super powers, they have sleek weapons for their protection – and they can solve many of our problems too! But all this is temporary. Just like you cannot stay in a five-star hotel once you run out of money, these Devs/ Devis also get their super powers for a limited amount of time. Once that time runs out, they have to move to their next “bhav” or lifespan based on their past karmas - just like us humans.  

“GOD,” on the other hand, are the souls that are free of all 8 karmas.

So when we say “Arihanto Mah Devo,” we’re talking about “GOD” not “god.”

🙏Javajjivam Susahunam Guruno🙏

Javajjivam means “lifelong.”

Susahunam means “su-sadhu” – sadhus who guide us towards the path of Moksha.

Guruno means “our guru.”

So this translates into – only su-sadhus are our lifelong gurus.

🙏Jin Panattam Tattam🙏

 Jin Panattam Tattam means whatever knowledge of Dharma (tattva gyan) our "Jin Bhagwan" has given us, that is the ultimate REAL knowledge. Here, "Jin Bhagwan" refers to the souls who have defeated all vices like anger and hatred and shed all the karmas. People who follow "Jin Bhagwan" are called "Jains."

🙏Iya Samattam Maye Gahiyam🙏

 This means "With utmost humility, I am accepting this "Samyaktva" that involves unwavering faith in Dev, Guru and Dharma."

Please make sure the kids revise the Samyaktva Sutra along with its meaning. Hoping to see them all this coming Sunday 😊 Until then, Jai Jinendra!