Pinnacle Of Spirituality

SR No.: 032343
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 188
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 42 MB

Page 156

69. Forgiveness is Friendship
"I forgive all living beings, may all living beings forgive me. I have friendship with all and have enmity with none."
Shrimad taught that one should live life with love and friendliness towards all
living things, be forgiving and bear no grudges, learn to recognise the true nature of soul. He encouraged people to rid themselves of greed, pride and ego and to think of the soul instead of the transient body in which it resides. Forgiveness is the stepping stone to achieve the purity and enlightenment of the Soul, it can be described as the joy in life and the Spring of penitence. At the onset of spring, nature is in full bloom, radiating its beauty. Similarly, if life is lived in forgiveness, then the qualities of the Soul will blossom.
Anger is the opposite of forgiveness. It turns a man into a monster. Anger is in reality alien to the Soul, while forgiveness is the Soul's nature. Anger is hatred, while forgiveness is friendship.
A person called Bhanji Makanji did not quite believe that Shrimad was a saintly person and that he would remain detached from negative emotions. He wanted to put Shrimad's equanimity to the test.
He started behaving as if they were old enemies and made all kinds of accusations against Shrimad. Once, when Shrimad was engaged in a discourse, he started shouting baseless allegations against Shrimad. He was expecting a reaction in kind but Shrimad remained calm as ever. Eventually Bhanji Makanji became tired and came to his senses. He apologised to Shrimad, bowing to him and putting his turban at Shrimad's feet as a sign of repentance.
There was only one sentiment in Shrimad's heart :
Come let us forgive, let us ask for forgiveness.
The world is full of vices; there is malice everywhere Come let us plant a tree of friendliness
Bhanji explained to Shrimad that he was trying to test Shrimad's genuineness, and asked for his forgiveness. He had lost his senses and got carried away. From that day he became a devoted disciple of Shrimad.