Bahenshree Na Vachanamrut

The book "Bahenshree na Vachanamrut" (Words of Elixir of Sister) is a collection of spiritual discourses by Pujya Bahenshree Champa Ben, compiled from her teachings. Published by Shri Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust, Sonagadh, it focuses on the essence of Jain spirituality and the path to liberation as taught by eminent Jain Acharyas and enlightened souls.

The book highlights the teachings of Param Upakari Pujya Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami, who illuminated the path to liberation through his profound understanding and expounding of the Tattvartha (principles of reality) as propounded by Lord Mahavir and subsequent Acharyas like Shri Kundakundacharya.

Key Themes and Teachings:

• Focus on the Soul (Atma): The core message revolves around understanding and realizing the true nature of the soul, which is pure, omniscient, and blissful. It emphasizes turning inward and focusing on the self rather than external worldly pursuits.
• The Path of Self-Realization: Bahenshree Champa Ben, who attained self-realization at a young age, conveys a path that is experiential and deeply spiritual. The teachings encourage consistent effort in self-inquiry, meditation, and contemplation.
• Renunciation and Detachment: A significant aspect is the call for detachment from worldly pleasures, possessions, and relationships, seeing them as transient and ultimately sorrowful. The path emphasizes living a life of detachment, even while in the midst of worldly affairs.
• The Importance of a Guru: The book repeatedly stresses the invaluable role of a Guru (spiritual guide) like Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami in illuminating the path to truth and providing the necessary guidance.
• Discrimination (Bhedgnan): A crucial teaching is the importance of discriminating between the soul (Atma) and non-soul (pudgal), and between pure consciousness and impure modifications (vibhava). This discrimination is seen as the key to liberation.
• Effort and Perseverance: The teachings encourage unwavering effort and perseverance in spiritual practice. It is through sustained effort and sincere devotion that one can overcome karmic obstacles and attain the soul's true nature.
• Living the Spiritual Path: The discourses offer practical advice on how to live a spiritual life, emphasizing the importance of right understanding, right faith, and right conduct in daily life.
• The Power of Spiritual Vocabulary: The teachings encourage the constant contemplation of spiritual truths and the use of spiritual vocabulary (like "Jnaayak," "Chaitanya") to internalize these concepts.
• The Transience of Worldly Life: The book underscores the impermanent nature of the world and the suffering inherent in worldly existence, urging readers to seek refuge in the eternal and unchanging nature of the soul.
• The Essence of Jainism: The discourses are deeply rooted in the core principles of Jainism, particularly the emphasis on the soul's inherent purity and the path of non-violence, self-control, and detachment.

In essence, "Bahenshree na Vachanamrut" serves as a spiritual guide, offering profound insights into the Jain path to self-realization and liberation, presented through the nectar-like words of Bahenshree Champa Ben, inspired by the teachings of Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami. It is a call to turn inward, recognize the divine within, and strive for the ultimate goal of moksha (liberation).