________________
6
THE ART OF POSITIVE THINKING
in
To know and experience reality, it is necessary to investigate the essential significance of the past and the present. This in itself constitutes a holistic approach, a detached point of view distinction with the perverted point of view based upon the perception of a part alone. There is little room for controversy in the holistic approach, but an impressionistic approach, based upon a one-sided view, vitiated by prejudice, inevitably gives rise to contention and conflict.
The healthy approach to thinking is the constructive, positive approach, the holistic point of view.
Emperor Shrenik's queen Chelna was sleeping. It was winter time, terribly cold. As she lay asleep, the following words escaped her lips, "I wonder what he will be doing now!" The emperor was awake. He heard these words which inflamed his whole being. He was proud of his queen's character. Now he thought, "The queen in whom I put my greatest trust, is muttering in sleep, 'I wonder what he will be doing now.' Who is she talking about? Has she a secret lover? O God!" His mind was in utter turmoil. He conceived a distrust of his own queen and instantly developed an extreme hatred
for her.
The morning found the emperor desolate and angry. He called his prime minister Abhay Kumar who was also his son and said, "Burn this palace without delay! I'm going out to see Lord Mahavir." Abhay Kumar was stunned at the emperor's command. He thought, "To burn the palace, to reduce Queen Chelna to ashes without any prior intimation-what sort of command is that!" On the one hand, there was his his father's command, on the other, the most heinous crime of burning his own mother alive! He knew very well what consequences his disregard of the king's order would lead to. He found himself in a dilemma.
Emperor Shrenik reached the meeting place of Mahavir, and paid his obeisance. In his discourse, Lord Mahavir discussed the topic of chaste and loyal women.' Incidentally Mahavir said, "Queen Chelna is the foremost among chaste and faithful women. She is very pious and dedicated to truth." The emperor could not believe his ears. He said to Mahavir, "Respected Sir, how is that? You say Queen Chelna is the most virtuous lady. But only last night these words escaped her lips in sleep, 'I wonder what he will be doing now!' Do these words symbolise her virtue or quite the contrary?"
Lord Mahavir said, "You know not the real meaning of these words. Queen Chelna came here yesterday to pay her obeisance. Afterwards on her way to the palace she came across a Jain ascetic who stood meditating under a tree. He was without any clothes. It was terribly cold. The queen did not stop there. Making her bow, she went on her way. While she slept at night, one of her hands lay
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
Jain Education International
