शील-महिमा
Summary
The text is a Jain religious verse in Prakrit with a Hindi commentary. It addresses a woman (kanya), urging her not to fear even if today is her day of death. She is instructed to focus her mind, which is free from distortion and the anxiety of death, on the remembrance of Jina (the enlightened one). The verse then describes a scenario of extreme physical hardship: the skin of the body may be torn, the body’s fluids and fat may be destroyed, and a rakshasa (demon) may devour the flesh. Despite such severe bodily destruction, if a monk (muni) does not break his vow of chastity (shila), he becomes renowned. Such a monk attains a divine state (deva-yoni) and ultimately achieves liberation (siddha), becoming endowed with the eight attributes (ashtaguna). The commentary explains the meaning: even if the body is completely destroyed, maintaining the vow of chastity leads to fame, divine birth, and final liberation.
Conclusion
The text emphasizes the supreme importance of preserving moral conduct (shila) even in the face of death. It advises against fear when facing one's final day, urging the individual to fix their unwavering heart upon the Jina. The passage presents a stark outcome: even if the body is torn, its flesh devoured by demons, or its vital elements destroyed, a monk who does not break his vow of chastity achieves profound results. Such a person becomes renowned, attains a divine birth, and ultimately achieves the state of a Siddha, one endowed with the eight fundamental qualities. The implication is clear—the preservation of ethical integrity, particularly in the most extreme circumstances, is not merely a moral choice but a direct path to spiritual liberation and divine status.