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ĀTMĀ
The Self....
at this critical juncture I remembered the pledge I had given to my mother in childhood to chant 9,00,000. 'Navakāra - Mantra' (Jaina hymn), which I had not yet fulfilled.
I started the Hymn in rhythm, the deep concentration resulted in complete peace of mind, all worries and tensions disappeared.
Non-violence and civil disobedience was a part of fight against the British Government, not against the British people. Hence there was absolutely no ill-feeling or hatred towards them.
It was here in the dungeon, the Jaina philosophy that “re-birth and sufferings are the result of one's own deeds committed in previous lives, one must bear them willingly” helped me considerably. I then felt at ease.
After my release I became engrossed in 'village-work', to help the needy and the poor, the old and the invalid. I felt it was a service to God and considered this, to be true religion. In course of time by a sheer good-luck my work brought me in direct touch with the most eminent and highest authority on Jainism, His Holiness Ācārya Srimad Vijaya Ramacandra Sūriśvarji Mahārāja and I got a chance to listen to his discourse in a simple but forceful language touching the inner-most core. It gave me a new vision, new outlook and a new goal.
The Real Service : A New Vision
"Treat all living beings as equal to thyself, from the highest to the lowest form with love and reverence whether it be in a clod of earth or a drop of water or a spark or a wisp of air, each contains countless invisible bodies. This is the real service to the Supreme Divine," i.e. Ātmā - The inner Self (New outlook). The soul when it becomes pure, devoid of all passions and desires, attachment and aversions-achieves 'SiddhatvaGodhood'. (New vision) Within a short period Ācāryaśri with his love and grace and making exceptions enunciated me at the age of 73 as "Sramaņa" -a Jaina Monk
I have completed thirteen years. I have never experienced such peace
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