Rom Rom Ras Pije

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rom Rom Ras Pije" by Mahopadhyay Lalitprabh Sagar, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Rom Rom Ras Pije (रोम रोम रस पीजे) Author: Mahopadhyay Lalitprabh Sagar Publisher: Sri Jityasha Foundation, Kolkata

Overall Theme and Purpose:

"Rom Rom Ras Pije" is a collection of profound spiritual and life-affirming insights presented by Mahopadhyay Lalitprabh Sagar. The title itself, meaning "Drink the Nectar Drop by Drop," suggests a journey of absorbing the essence of life and spirituality through deep contemplation and feeling. The book aims to provide guidance and inspiration for navigating life's various aspects, offering wisdom that is both practical and deeply spiritual. It emphasizes introspection, self-awareness, and the cultivation of inner virtues for a fulfilling existence.

Key Strengths and Characteristics Highlighted in the Foreword (Pages 2-4):

• Depth of Thought and Emotion: The book is described as having both expansive experiences and profound depths of contemplation and emotion.
• Diversity and Height: It covers a wide range of topics, presenting them with both breadth and a sense of elevated wisdom.
• Penetrating Simplicity: The author's pronouncements are characterized by their simple yet sharp insight.
• Comprehensive Life Guidance: The "life-formulas" within the book illuminate every dimension of life, whether personal or universal, spiritual or practical.
• Companion in Life: The aphorisms are presented as companions on every turn of life, bringing joy in happiness and support in sorrow.
• Amrit (Nectar): The core message is to absorb the "nectar" that flows from every word, with one's whole heart and soul.
• Dedication: The book is dedicated to the memory of Shrimati Rajmati Bothra.

Content Overview and Structure (Based on the Index and Sample Pages):

The book is structured as a collection of short, insightful reflections on a vast array of topics, arranged alphabetically in Hindi. The sample pages reveal the nature of these reflections, which are concise, profound, and often metaphorical. Each entry offers a philosophical perspective on a specific concept, aiming to provide a lesson or a guiding principle.

The index (Pages 6-13) lists over 150 topics, covering a wide spectrum of human experience and spiritual concepts. A selection of these topics and their general themes include:

• Self-Awareness and Inner Journey:

  • Antar-Jagrukta (Intra-Awareness): Cultivating self-awareness is like celebrating a festival.
  • Antar-Gyan (Inner Knowledge): Leads to an infinite realm beyond the world.
  • Antar-Yatra (Inner Journey): The movement of consciousness from the periphery to the center, from the external to the internal.
  • Antar-Raman (Inner Delight): True fulfillment lies in internal engagement, not external wandering.
  • Antar-Shuddhi (Inner Purity): Internal refinement doesn't require external formality.
  • Aham-Bodha (Self-Awareness): Becomes whole where mental dispersion ceases.
  • Atma-Gyan (Self-Knowledge): Found by looking within, not just in forests.
  • Atma-Darshan (Self-Realization): The greatest penance is the effort to recognize one's own truth.
  • Atma-Prichha (Self-Inquiry): Asking "Who am I?" is the first brick of spirituality.
  • Atma-Vishwas (Self-Confidence): The key to grasping the future.

• Virtues and Character:

  • Anushasan (Discipline): Not an imposed limitation, but the order of life; self-regulation.
  • Anudvignata (Composure): Remaining undisturbed by life's ups and downs is the basis of spiritual practice.
  • Kshama (Forgiveness): Not becoming angry even when capable and when wronged.
  • Namrata (Humility): Essential for filling one's life with essence.
  • Shraddha (Faith): The manifestation of the formless in the formed.
  • Samyama (Control/Restraint): Making daily life orderly and disciplined.

• Spiritual Concepts:

  • Arhant: One who has become an "Arhant" of life, not just a head of a monastery.
  • Nirvana-Path (Path to Liberation): Detachment from the world created by the mind.
  • Parmatma (Supreme Soul): Found through love in the heart, not just intellectual knowledge.
  • Moksha (Liberation): The death of death.
  • Yog: The cessation of the mind.

• Life's Principles and Observations:

  • Anekant (Non-one-sidedness): Implied in the idea of seeing truth from multiple perspectives.
  • Apeksha (Expectation): Keep expectations from oneself, not others.
  • Avasar (Opportunity): Waits for no one; seize it quickly.
  • Kathanai-Karni (Saying-Doing): Actions should precede preachings.
  • Karma-Yog (Path of Action): Moving forward from one's current state.
  • Jeevan-Darshan (Philosophy of Life): Maintaining steadfastness and clarity in behavior.
  • Jeevan-Moolya (Life Values): Upholding values is the true dignity of personality.
  • Dhyan (Meditation): The centralization of scattered energy.
  • Dharma (Dharma/Duty): A matter of conduct, not communal obsession; inspires good conduct and thoughts.
  • Tyag (Renunciation): True renunciation is not holding onto the ego of giving up.
  • Dukh-Sukh (Sorrow-Happiness): Accepting sorrow with wisdom is "tap" (penance); accepting it with joy is "tapa" (discipline).

Nature of Reflections (Illustrative Examples from Sample Pages):

• Akelapan (Loneliness): Loneliness in the bathroom is better than the joy of a crowd.
• Ati-kraman (Transgression): It's natural for inhuman elements to attack life, but making them a part of life is a transgression of life's values.
• Adhyayan (Study): Studying good books is like direct conversation with great souls.
• Apeksha (Expectation): One should have expectations from oneself, rather than others. Unmet expectations create a polluted and unbalanced environment.
• Ahankar (Ego): Believing oneself to be superior is the affirmation of ego.
• Anshu (Tears): Tears are the expression of deep emotions when words fail. They are a way to become lighter.
• Amrit-Rakta (Nectar-Blood): Blood that saves a life before turning to water is nectar.
• Aadarsh (Ideals): The value of upholding ideals is greater than the value of time.
• Ashaa (Hope): The thread that sustains life; those who rely on others for hope chain themselves in dependency.
• Upvaas (Fasting): Fasting from kashayas (passions) and stress is as important for mental health as fasting from food.
• Karani (Action): Humans shed banana peels themselves and then cry after slipping on them.
• Ganga-Snaan (Ganges Bath): It means cleansing the mind. If one remains the same after bathing in the Ganges, it's only washing the body's dirt.
• Jeevan (Life): What is life if there is only smoke and no fire in the fuel? Life is the burning of a lamp, becoming luminous within and without.
• Dhyan (Meditation): The centralization of scattered energy; the basis for freedom from all choices.
• Dharm (Dharma): Teaches respect for humanity; it does not direct one to take lives. It is a matter of conduct, not communal divisiveness.
• Nishchhalta (Innocence): Childlike innocence is the gateway to the kingdom of God.
• Paryavaran (Environment): Cleanliness of the environment is the cleanliness of the mind.
• Prem (Love): The first sign of vitality, which society follows. A life without love is empty.
• Bhavna (Emotion): If emotions are flexible, even harsh words can be delightful.
• Man (Mind): The mind is neither friend nor foe; it is what you make it.
• Vair (Enmity): Enmity does not quell enmity, just as an ink-stained cloth cannot be cleaned with ink.
• Vivek (Discrimination): When Dharma is infused with the fire of discrimination, it becomes the source of truth and power.
• Sadhana-Path (Path of Practice): Self-acceptance and deep absorption are milestones on this path.

Publisher's Information and Outreach (Pages 90-98):

The latter pages list the available literature from Sri Jityasha Foundation, emphasizing their commitment to promoting virtue and right thinking. They highlight various books by Mahopadhyay Chandraprabh Sagar and Mahopadhyay Lalitprabh Sagar on topics such as meditation, self-development, Jain scriptures, and inspirational stories. The foundation also offers a unique "Own Library at Home" scheme, where a one-time donation of Rs. 1000 ensures lifetime delivery of all published literature, including existing back catalogs.

In essence, "Rom Rom Ras Pije" is a treasure trove of wisdom, offering a spiritual and practical guide to living a meaningful and virtuous life, infused with the profound insights and simple yet powerful language of Mahopadhyay Lalitprabh Sagar.