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AWAKENNESS OF SOUL three monks were moving constantly during the sermon. This showed that they were inattentive. For this reason I stopped the sermon."
If monks do not receive the sermon with utmost attention and alertness, what of the common people ? All were struck by this subtle and awakened vision of Lord Buddha. The monks resolved to resort to Sadhana with greater awakenness of Atma. (2) Socrates, the famed philosopher of Greece, was a great man of unique intellectual status. He used to say, "Right from childhood, my constant companion is my true Self (Sad-atma). My soul invariably advises me on what work I should undertake and to what time. He also warns me in advance, about improper activities that I might be undertaking."
One day the pupils asked, "Where is this Sadatma ?"
Immediately he replied, "It is the voice of my inner soul, which is known as discrimination (Viveka) or the power of intellect (Prajnashakti) in the scriptures. Those Sadhakas who progress on the path of Sadhana with this best companion, are saved from all calamities and are led to the attainment of the desired
goal."
(3) Some fifty years ago, Benaras Hindu University was in its infancy. The University was established by Pundit Malaviyaji. The position of vice-chancellor was held by Acharya Narendradeva. The position carried the free use of a house, a car, a servant and so on.
Once it so happened that he was going by a rickshaw (small taxi) to meet some one. A close friend of his happened to see him. The friend stopped the rickshaw and asked, "Why do you go by this rickshaw ? What happened to your car ?"
Narendradeva replied, "Well friend ! How can I use the car when I go for my personal work ? In rare cases, when I am compelled to use the car for personal use, I pay for the gasoline."
With these words, Narendradeva left, leaving his friend full of admiration.
ATMA-JAGRUTI
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