Aspect of Jainology Part 1 Lala Harjas Rai

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi

Page 76

Religion of Man
the course of several lives, the Real state of its Oneness with the Pure soul. Man's nature no doubt influences his body and mind in accordance with the character-load with which he starts on his life's journey. But his mind is endowed with such wonderful powers of discrimination and dispassion that through his own strong will he can subdue his lower nature and refuse to allow the mind to become its slave. Man is Divine and is not confined to his body and mind alone. He partakes of the Infinite. Religion embraces the whole of life which is consecrates and realizes as a revelation of the Divinity in man. It is the from and substance of the highest type of life of which man is capable.
Duty and Service
It is through action that man reveals his True self. All action is Duty, for it must be performed. But one ought not to do any work under a sense of Compulsion. All work should be done with the conviction that it will do good to the whole of humanity. Let duties be sweetened with all-embracing love. One should be earnest in whatever one does and should not give any place to self-interest. Man should work for work's sake. This will make him unselfish. An action which is done under a sense of compulsion is devoid of free will, and a certain sense of pain results from its performance. Whatever duties a man is privileged to perform by virtue of his position in the scheme of life he should render them intelligently and diligently. Duties performed in a spirit of devotional love and service give man a wonderful experience of bliss which keeps him always cheerful. Performance of action in this manner is the most effective means of rendering real service to mankind. Self-Abnegation in Service
Gradually an individual should widen his circle of service till he serves humanity. He should not expect any return for his service, for. service of fellow beings is service of one's own self This is true sacrifice. A person should ever enhance the limits of his service according to capacity. First comes the service of one's parents and those who are nearest to oneself; then of one's family and friends, then of fellow citizens and the community and the country, and ultimately of all mankind irrespective of any divisions. In rendering service, a person should always be particular to see that he is not doing it for the sake of more name and