Jivan Safalya

This document is a Gujarati booklet titled "Jivan Safalya" (Meaningful Life), published by Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra Koba. It appears to be a New Year's publication, offering guidance and inspiration for a fulfilling life from a spiritual and ethical perspective, likely within the Jain tradition.

Here's a comprehensive summary of its content:

Overall Theme: The booklet emphasizes the pursuit of a meaningful and successful life by cultivating positive virtues, engaging in righteous actions, and maintaining a strong spiritual connection. It blends spiritual teachings with practical advice and inspiring anecdotes.

Key Themes and Sections:

• New Year's Greetings and Aspirations (Pages 1-3): The booklet begins with New Year's greetings, wishing readers a life filled with good thoughts, good conduct, virtues, happiness, peace, and health. It encourages self-improvement and spiritual growth in the coming year.

• Foundational Virtues (Page 1): A list of key virtues is presented, including:

  • Founder's Goodwill (સ્થાપક મેત્રીભાવ)
  • High Thoughts (જીવન-ઉચ્ચ વિચાર)
  • Diligence in Duty (કર્તવ્યનિષ્ઠા)
  • Good Speech (સદ્વાચના)
  • Simple Living (સાદુ જીવન)
  • Humility (વિનય)
  • Regular Satsang (Good Company) (નિયમિત સત્સંગ)
  • Philanthropy (પરોપકારવૃત્તિ)
  • Eagerness for Service (સેવાતત્પરતા)
  • Devotion to the Divine (પ્રભુભક્તિ)

• Publisher's Note (Page 4): This section outlines the mission of the Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra to publish wholesome, life-enhancing literature. It acknowledges the declining interest in such literature in the current era but emphasizes its importance for human development, character building, and the creation of responsible citizens. The note also highlights the need for accessible, low-cost literature to spread values, especially in the face of cultural shifts.

• "Don't Think, Then Attain" - Ten Principles (Page 5): This section, likely attributed to Shrimad Rajchandraji, presents ten core principles for spiritual progress:

  1. Hold supreme love for the Divine, regardless of the path.
  2. Remember questions like "Where did I come from?", "Where am I going?", "Am I bound?", "How to break free?".
  3. Consider the welfare of others as your own welfare, and the suffering of others as your own suffering.
  4. Consider backbiting as a grave sin.
  5. Earn wealth honestly, no matter your profession.
  6. True happiness is within; don't search for it externally.
  7. Failing to contemplate the self, acknowledge faults, or introspect after attaining a human birth is a waste.
  8. Reduction of passions (anger, ego, deceit, greed) leads to well-being.
  9. Where there is no compassion for the suffering of any being, there is no religion.
  10. Birth, aging, and death are fundamentally suffering; their root is karma, and karma's root is attachment and aversion.

• Golden Sayings (Page 6): This section features quotes from Shrimad Rajchandraji and Munishri Tarunsagarji:

  • Shrimad Rajchandraji: Reminds us to never forget the Divine and our death. Also, to forget any good we do for others and any bad done to us. Life will have difficulties, just like a week has a Sunday. Happiness and sorrow are both part of life, and we receive what we are destined for.
  • Munishri Tarunsagarji: States that happiness is incomplete without its opposite, and sorrow is necessary for remembering God.

• Success in Life (Pages 7-8): This section defines true success beyond material achievements. It discusses the four Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha) and criticizes the modern focus solely on Artha (wealth) and Kama (desire) due to Western influence. It stresses the importance of earning a livelihood, nurturing family relationships, and integrating Dharma through virtues like abstaining from vices, selflessness, kind speech, helpfulness, Satsang, truth, compassion, humility, harmony, and good-heartedness. This integrated approach leads to a balanced, fragrant, and pure life.

• The Lighthouse (Page 8): This analogy compares saints and gurus to lighthouses, guiding souls through the turbulent ocean of life. Their inner wisdom and spiritual light warn people about the dangers of desires and passions.

• An Anecdote on Excuses (Pages 9-11): A humorous story illustrates how people make excuses to avoid spiritual practices. The narrative uses a conversation between a husband and wife to show how a wife constantly finds excuses not to spin thread. The story then relates these excuses to common excuses people give for not performing spiritual austerities (Tapasya), such as fasting, eating less, giving up certain tastes, etc. It emphasizes that these excuses are like the "thoka" (blows) of karma.

• More Devoid Than a Beggar (Page 12): A story about Swami Anandswarup highlights the idea that greed makes one poorer than a beggar. The Swami refused a large donation from a wealthy man, explaining that the man was still poor because his desire for more wealth was insatiable.

• Parental Duty (Page 13): This section stresses the duty to care for parents in their old age, just as they cared for us in our childhood. It criticizes abandoning parents to old age homes and emphasizes that a home where parents are mere guests is not blessed.

• Seeing Faults (Page 14): This section uses the analogy of a needle and a sieve to illustrate how people readily point out others' faults while ignoring their own. It concludes that when one points a finger at another, three fingers are pointing back at oneself. A quote from Shrimad Rajchandraji encourages constant devotion.

• The First Moment (Pages 15-16): This section, referencing Vinoba Bhave, emphasizes the importance of controlling the "first moment" of emotion or reaction. Whether it's anger, joy, or despair, controlling the initial impulse can prevent negative consequences. It suggests that mastering these "first moments" is key to navigating life successfully.

• Golden Advice (Page 16): Short, practical advice: Don't speak to cause arguments, don't laugh to break relationships, don't act to ruin life, don't eat to upset your stomach, don't blindly believe everything you hear, and don't think anything that spoils your mind.

• The Charm of Simplicity (Pages 17-18): An anecdote about Lala Hansraj, a philanthropist and founder of a college, who lived a simple life. He wore a worn-out shawl and explained to a wealthy donor that he kept new items for those more in need, demonstrating that his simplicity was born of generosity, not poverty. It also includes a brief anecdote about Shrimad Rajchandraji and his young daughter, highlighting the child's identification with her name over the spiritual concept of the soul.

• Asceticism and Scholarship (Page 19): A story about Swami Ramtirth and Pandit Malviyaji. When Swami Ramtirth's feet were dirty, Pandit Malviyaji, despite being a scholar and respectable figure, humbly cleaned his feet with his valuable silk garment. Malviyaji stated that serving a saint is more important than one's garment and that scholarship should serve asceticism.

• Your Time is Passing (Pages 20-21): A story about a person told by a saint that they have seven days to live. This knowledge prompts them to engage in spiritual practices, seek forgiveness, and live a virtuous life for those seven days. The saint then reveals it was a metaphor to teach the value of time. The section concludes by emphasizing that time is precious and constantly passing, urging readers to live a virtuous life by remembering this. It quotes Shrimad Rajchandraji and Kabir, highlighting that a life spent only on material pursuits will lead to regret.

• Service is Not a Transaction (Page 22): An account of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's flood relief efforts. When praised by a British officer for their work and offered official recognition, Patel humbly declined, stating that service should not be transactional and the happiness of those they helped was their true reward.

• Devotion to God (Page 23): An episode from the Ramayana where Hanumanji, asked to fetch the Brahmastra, encounters Mandodari who offers him fruits. Hanumanji declines, stating that Lord Rama, the giver of the fruit of salvation, resides in his heart, and therefore he desires no other fruit.

• Confirmation of an Ideal Husband (Page 24): The story of Lal Bahadur Shastri and his wife, Lalita Devi. After Shastriji's death, his family initially accepted the government's offer to waive a loan taken for a car. However, Lalita Devi, upholding her husband's principles, chose to repay the loan from their reduced pension, demonstrating integrity and adherence to ideals.

• Gems of Wisdom (Pages 25-26): A collection of short, impactful quotes on various life lessons:

  • Cultural attacks are more dangerous than military ones.
  • Increased desires lead to increased suffering; decreased desires lead to decreased suffering.
  • Self-praise is poison; self-criticism is nectar.
  • Generosity creates epics; hoarding creates Mahabharatas.
  • Snakes kill once; sin kills for lifetimes.
  • Coming together is a start, staying together is progress, working together is success.
  • Bricks, sand, and cement build houses; love, tolerance, and wisdom build families.
  • To succeed, look at your mistakes and strive to correct them.
  • One can escape a pit, but not envy.
  • What is kept is lost; what is given is ours.
  • Happiness is often present, but we fail to notice it.
  • Silence is often more effective than words.
  • "I can't" leads to no achievement; "I will try" leads to great achievements.
  • Giving happiness to others brings happiness to oneself.
  • The true hero is one who conquers himself.
  • Earn with righteousness, spend with love, enjoy with method, and escape misfortune.
  • Let go of what you don't have to enjoy what you do.
  • Anger blinds the eyes and opens the mouth.
  • Where love diminishes, suspicion begins.
  • Actions for oneself are introspection; actions for the world are exhibition.
  • Possessions lead to fear of conflict.
  • A stammering tongue is acceptable, but an arrogant one is not.
  • Tomorrow is for the lazy.
  • To raise cultured children, be their example before lecturing.
  • Ego in men and ornaments in women create storms.
  • Greatness comes from serving others with the sweat of one's brow.

• A Walking Angel (Pages 27-28): A story from the Champaran Satyagraha where Mahatma Gandhi searches for a leper worker left behind. He finds the man, tends to his wounds with his own shawl, and brings him back to the ashram for prayer. This is presented as an example of a "walking angel." It also includes a story of a poor girl sharing her biscuits with a dog, highlighting selfless compassion.

• Affection for Students (Pages 29-30): An incident involving Dr. Radhakrishnan, who, upon receiving a letter from a student unable to pay fees, quietly paid the fees himself. The student, upon learning this, was deeply touched by the President's affection and concern for education.

• True Patriot (Pages 31-32): The story of Chittaranjan Das, known as "Deshbandhu." He was known for his immense generosity and belief that his wealth should benefit his countrymen. When a poor Brahmin sought help for his daughter's wedding, mistaking someone else for Deshbandhu, Chittaranjan Das discreetly arranged the funds himself after taking the Brahmin to his office. This exemplifies true patriotism and generosity.

• Health is Nectar (Page 32): Provides simple health tips: waking early for ozone benefits, positive thinking, the importance of digestion, avoiding unnecessary allopathic medicines due to side effects, recommending grams and grapes as good food, and stating that diet, sleep, and celibacy are pillars of health. It also advises against late-night eating and emphasizes early sleep for those with health issues.

• This is Generosity (Pages 33-34): A story about Jagdish Chandra Bose's father, Bhagavan Chandra Bose, a judge. He sentenced a robber who, upon release, set fire to Bhagavan Chandra's house. Witnessing the devastation, the robber felt remorse and asked Bhagavan Chandra for a job to reform himself. Bhagavan Chandra employed him to pick up his son Jagdish from school, showcasing remarkable forgiveness and generosity. It also includes a quote from Saint Rabia about focusing on one's own faults rather than criticizing others.

• Courage (Pages 35-36): An account of Chandrashekhar Azad, a revolutionary, offering himself to a widow to claim the bounty and enable her to marry off her daughter. The widow refused, and Azad, in return, left money for the daughter's marriage, demonstrating his sense of responsibility and courage.

• Self-Knowledge (Page 36): A brief mention of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who, despite suffering from cancer, expressed joy that his body was a feast for microbes. When asked by his devotees to pray for sustenance, his Divine Mother reportedly told him he was already consuming through so many beings. This realization led him to remorse for temporarily lacking the feeling of self-identification with the Divine.

• Unblemished Patriotism (Pages 37-38): Lokmanya Tilak, a revered national leader, rejected a British company's proposal to use his name for a pen brand. He saw it as an attempt to loot India further through his name and refused to allow his identity to be used for commercial gain that didn't benefit the nation. It also includes an anecdote about Mahatma Gandhi's view on the body being for service and thus needing care.

• The Path of Peace (Pages 39-40): A merchant loses all his wealth and seeks peace from a sadhu. The sadhu guides him to realize that he came empty-handed and will leave empty-handed. He advises the merchant to use his hands and feet to work with faith in God, as effort is the greatest wealth and the only way to find peace. It also includes a touching story of Maharaja Pratap, who, during his exile, was so hungry that he begged a beggar for a morsel of bread, only for it to be snatched by a vulture.

• True Leadership (Pages 41-42): An account of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose leading his troops through arduous conditions. Despite suffering from blisters and wounds, he refused to use a vehicle while his soldiers walked, demonstrating true leadership through shared hardship and empathy.

• The True Vaishnava (Page 43): A discussion among Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's disciples about who constitutes a true Vaishnava. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu clarifies that a true Vaishnava is one who always has the name of Hari on their lips, the Divine in their mind, and sees the Divine in all beings.

• Objectives and Activities of Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra (Page 43): This section outlines the core aims of the center:

  • Establishing, protecting, and promoting eternal values of Indian culture.
  • Studying, teaching, researching, and publishing spiritual scriptures and the philosophy of anekantavada (non-absolutism).
  • Promoting devotion and devotional music.
  • Practicing yoga and contributing to society's health through activities like running dispensaries.
  • Guiding sincere aspirants in the path of devotion and obedience. It also lists activities such as Satsang, self-study, devotion, meditation, the operation of a library, publications in various languages, and spiritual camps.

• Contact Information: The back cover provides contact details for the Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra.

In essence, "Jivan Safalya" is a compilation of spiritual and ethical teachings, anecdotes, and inspirational quotes designed to guide readers towards a more virtuous, meaningful, and successful life, grounded in Jain philosophy and values.