________________
210
THE JAINA GAZETTE
things, which is overcome by desires. To give up worldly things is tyag, which can completely be done by munis only. But a householder should also not be always after worldly things and should try to restrain one's desires to some extent.
It is the duty of every householder to acquire wealth by fair and honest means and spend the same in such a way as after satisfying his wants may save something for giving in charity.
Charity is of four kinds-(1) Jnanadan or to impart true knowledge (2) Ausahddan or to supply medicines to the diseased (3) Ahara-dan or to give food to the hungry— (4) Abhaya-dan to help those who are in troubles.
The first and the upper-most charity is to impart true knowledge. A soul remaining ignorant of its real nature drowns itself in the unfathomy sea of the world and it is only by true knowledge that it can raise itself and attain its real end. This work of imparting true knowledge can be done by opening schools, colleges and universities in which religious instruction is given along with worldly education, by granting scholarships to students of religion, by distributing religious tracts freely etc. This is the greatest need of the present age.
To supply medicines to the diseased, hospitals should be opened in which medicines may be supplied free to the poor.
To give food to the poor, widows, and orphans who cannot support themselves, Bhojana-sala (poor houses) should be opened.
So a man to obtain bliss of soul should always do some sort of tyag.
The ninth quality of soul is Akinchanya (or want of attachment for worldly things) which is overcome by unsatiating desire to collect worldly things. A man is not satisfied with what is with him and which may be necessary for his wants, but always runs after collecting more and more. This unsatiating desire is the cause of all worldly troubles. A king not satisfied with his own dominions invades others' countries and in his unjust desire of conquest he causes the blood of thousands of innocent persons to be shed. A man becoming greedy of others' Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com