Atmanandji Jainacharya Janmashatabdi Smarakgranth

Author(s): Mohanlal Dalichand Desai
Publisher: Atmanand Janma Shatabdi Smarak Trust

Page 252

Shah Vinaychand Gulabchand
Every human being has a soul equal in power to God. He is a living & moving temple in one sense. If he is restored to his utmost limit & power, he will take care of immoveable temples, teerthas and institutions.
Would our millionaires adopt the right method of their charities and seek to end the miseries of our people by stretching their liberal hand and provide them with means of living, occupation, employment, education, houses to live in etc ? They can open relief centres for relieving people from distress, physical, mental & financial disabilities, establish libraries, gymnasiums and provide work for them.
Our Sadhus are to our great misfortune apathetic and ignorant of the signs of the times. They do not direct their eyes towards the internal condition of the society on which they live. No broader outlook of life is found in them. Futile and expensive customs sapping the blood of the people do not draw their attention. Their vision is clouded, outlook is narrow, knowledge is poor and activity is confined to the four corners of the upashraya. Such state of affairs is intolerable and should be mended if not ended.
Now the time has come for them to be imbued with the spirit of rəforming themselves and reforming the people. They should study every modern language, science and all western & eastern philosophies and impart right knowledge and instruction to people by visiting every village and nook and corner of India. Rich people should be admonished and influenced to direct their monies to be spent in opening free schools, frea libraries, free hospitals, letting houses and lodges at cheap rent, starting home industries, other productive arts etc.
If our Sadhus, rich people will act as stated above, they will be acting according to the preaching of the great saint-sadhu whose centenary we are celebrating and will earn high merit & many blessings of our suffering brethren. May God help them to do the constructive work as required by the present times and to follow in the footsteps of the great men.
If
Shatabdi Granth ]
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