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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
415
Dradhaprahari's mind was tranquilled and his doubts dispelled on hearing the words of the ascetic. He was initiated into five great vows and he further took a vow not to accept food and water till he remembered four murders. Gentlemen, Monks very often during their course of penances accept various kinds of abstinences or vows. Such sort of vow as mentioned above is indeed very rigorous to go through. Just consider what high degree of mental concentration and penances are necessitated for erasing some incidents from the mental slate. Out of high intensity of emotions saint Dradhaprahari undertook this vow or initiation. He engrossed himself in contemplation at the gateway of Kushasthala.
This city was robbed without reluctance by him and his helpmates and so the people there naturally began to pass abusive remarks against him as "He is a hypocrite! "He is a great cheat". "He rightly deserves stones and shoes, what to wait for? Go, hammer him well". With such remarks people began to throw bricks, stones and filthy matters, till all materials were piled up to his nose level. Then he silently moved to the other gate and continued his austere penances. People are gregarious by nature. One imitates the other and then all follow like a flock of sheep. Thus the saint Dradhaprahari moved from place to place for six months incessantly without breaking his severe penances till finally Omniscience was revealed to him.
Now the people realised that Dradhaprahari was not a hypocrite nor a cheat and he did not play pranks with the people. On the contrary he was a true saint, a great soul indeed. The people offered their prostrations in his feet and began to purify themselves with his feet-dust.
TEST OF RELIGION
Gentlemen,
Bear in mind very well three characteristics of a true religion declared by authors of scriptures. Whenever you have to judge about a particular religion, firstly you should see what importance is attached to non-violence. If violence is implied and solicited directly or indirectly then rest assured that such religion is not acceptable for you. Offering creatures in a sacrifice, sacrificing animals to please gods and goddesses are the various kinds of
