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**Steadfast Vision:** Even the portion arising from Dharma is harmful, like sandalwood in fire.
(505) There was immense regret, and even the great sages were experiencing a rare state of supreme indifference, an extraordinary state of detachment, and intense self-awareness. They were experiencing unbroken self-absorption - this is clearly evident to an impartial observer from their soul-filled words. But such exceptional (Exceptional -Extraordinary) great souls with a pure vision like a lotus in mud are rare, extremely rare. It is not possible for others to fathom or imitate the ocean of their minds, which are free from attachment to the three periods of time. If they try to do so, they will only be consumed by their own nature. In this regard, the words of Shrimad Rajchandraji are very meaningful:
“It is difficult to desire to be free from the objects of desire like sense objects, and even if one tries to do so, it is difficult to prevent the emergence of attachment to those objects. This is because without knowledge, it is not possible to completely eliminate the objects of desire. Simply experiencing the arising of the object of desire leads to its destruction; but if there is no knowledge, then the desire for the object will not cease without producing a strong result, and instead of being defeated, the object of desire will increase. A man who has knowledge does not engage in the objects of desire, nor does he desire to be free from them by experiencing them. And if he does engage in them, it is appropriate for knowledge to be covered. It is only because of the arising of karma that he cannot escape, and therefore the knowledgeable man engages in enjoyment. Even then, it is accompanied by regret before and after, and the weakest of results. An ordinary seeker of liberation, when he engages in the objects of desire, is likely to be bound by them, because the knowledgeable man has barely won over that situation. A man who only has the state of thought does not have the strength to overcome the object of desire in that way.” – Shrimad Rajchandra, Letter No. 499 (591).
Thus, in general, it is a rule that even enjoyment arising from Dharma becomes harmful, but it is an exception that it does not happen to the special knowledgeable men with right vision. Here, the example of sandalwood is appropriate. Sandalwood is naturally cool. Yet, sandalwood fire burns the forest, because it is its nature. Similarly, Dharma also burns, but even though it is naturally cool and peaceful, enjoyment arising from Dharma also produces burning. In rare exceptions, sandalwood is not burned by the fire of a mantra-enchanted man, because he has been purified by the mantra. Similarly, some exceptional great men like Tirthankaras and others with right vision are not harmed by enjoyment arising from Dharma. Because such souls, who are masters of their own selves, have eliminated the poison of desire with a detached attitude. Therefore, the poison of enjoyment does not affect them! Other ignorant people...