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DISCOURSE 67
The commentator on the Dharmabindu has mentioned a very important point:
'परोद्वेगहेतोर्हि पुरुषस्य न क्वापि समाधिलाभोस्ति, अनुरूपफलप्रदत्वात् सर्वप्रवृत्तिनाम् । ”
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Man can never attain peace or happiness by causing agitation and worries to others. All actions will bring about their proper fruits. As is the cry so is the echo. As you give; so you receive. As you sow; so you reap. If you confer peace upon others, you will surely attain happiness. But if you cause unhappiness; if you cause agitation to others, you will never get mental peace.
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From the Audience: But supposing we cause agitations to others unknowingly, what should we do?
Maharajashri: In that case, after you realise your mistake, you must seek the forgiveness of those whom you have offended. You must endeavour to remove the agitations of others. Even after you try to remove the agitations of others if their agitations continue, you are not at fault.
DO NOT TIE THE KNOT OF ENMITY
If you keep repeatedly causing agitation to others, offending others and worrying others, they will develop hatred for you. They will develop enmity for you and that enmity will cause distress to you through many lives.
Do not cause agitation and worry to others by means of your bodily actions. When King Gunasen was a prince, how much agitation did he cause to Agnisharma, the son of the courtpriest? I hope you know the story of "Samaraditya Kevali Charitra". Agnisharma was helpless because of his ugliness and because of his hunch-back. Gunasen used to force him to sit on a donkey and take him through the streets. He used to put a garland of thorns around his neck and he used to make fun of him heartlessly. Poor Agnisharma unable to bear with this kind of ill-treatment left the city and ran away to a jungle but he had the greatest hostility towards the prince. His hostility became firm. Through several janmas (lives) Agnisharma's jiva continued to kill Gunasen's jiva.
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