Atma Dharma

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

Page 11

passions, the greater the unhappiness for the living being concerned and vice versa.
The case with plants is not much different. It has now been demonstrated scientifically that they are endowed with life. The great Indian scientist, Prof. Sir J. C. Bose, has successfully transplanted large trees from one place to another by the use of suitable anæsthetics. This shows that trees are susceptible and sensitive to shock and are adversely affected by it, some even dying of it. The fact is that even the vegetable kingdom does not furnish an exception to the rule that living beings dislike and dread pain, and like peace and happiness.
Introspection reveals the fact that passions-- greed, anger, worry and the like--rob us of our mental peace and tranquillity which are regained as soon as the passions become quiescent. Our thoughts and language are also affected by our moods, happiness accompanying purer emotions alone.
What is happiness then? The very attribute of one's soul! It can be nothing else. If you ponder over this, you will find happiness to have its abode in your very self, and not outside you. Later on we shall see what wonderful powers the soul is invested with ; but it must be clear to every one that we are not mere automatons of clay or of some unconscious material, because we exer