Aspirants Guide

Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Sadhna Kendra Koba

Page 26

TRUE MERCY
violence on the lives of ants, flies, bugs, cockroaches and such other small insects, if we are alert while we eat, drink, bathe, cook, arranging our books and other things. If we become merciful towards these small insects, how can we possibly become cruel towards big animals like cows, buffaloes, dogs, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses and even human beings ? Human being is considered superior to all other forms of life.
The behavior described below is not only proper but essential to become merciful towards animals and human beings :
* If we have domesticated certain animals or have kept them for certain purposes, we should provide them with food and drink in time and due shelter from weather conditions like rain, heat and cold.
* We should not demand excessive work from the above mentioned animais. or servants, or exploit them in any other way.
* A businessman should not indulge in shady deals to secure unreasonable excessive profits derived by unjustly depriving others of their wealth and hurting them.
* If some poor customer comes for the purchase of basic needs, such as food or clothes, and if he is a little short of money, let us not humiliate him but find a mutually beneficial solution and fulfill his needs.
Let us become gentle and sweet in our behavior towards children and elders of the family, servants and subordinates, neighbors, people of our residential areas including the members of our society. This will prevent conflicts, quarrels, and use of abusive or offending words; consequently no occasion will arise to inflict pain through insulting language.
A Sadhaka should always be conscious of the fact that he does not intend to consciously inflict any injury to others. Thus, not only does he refrain from abusing others, but eventually from even wishing ill of others, as far as possible. The Higher Order of Observance of Mercy :
After taking note of this general order of observance of mercy, let us now, proceed to understand its special significance. The great saints have, by their unique knowledge of life, preached us the mercy that is subtle, scientific, and effective. The result
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