Awakening

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

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hence, in that situation, it will not be possible to find out whether you are patient or peaceful or forgiving. Life is the mirror that reflects your true nature and reveals it.
The tongue does not become soft and smooth whatever quantity of butter we eat; similarly an enlightened man does not develop attachment for worldly life though he may be living in the (Samsar) worldly life. He will remain untouched by life just as a lotus remains untouched by water. Such a man attains spiritual elevation by means of penance and self-conquest.
संजमेण तवसा अप्पाण भावेमाणे विहराइ Sajamena tavasa appana bhavemane viharayi
(Man attains spiritual excellence by means of penance and self-control.)
Man has to taste in his enlightened state the bitter fruit of his sinful actions committed in his state of ignorance. Thriprusta Vasudev gave orders to his servants : “ Stop the music when I sleep". But the servants out of forgetfulness did not carry out this order. So, angered by their indifference to his order, Thriprusta Vasudeva ordered that molten lead should be poured into their ears. This was an action which Lord Mahavira committed in an earlier life (Poorva Janma). When a cowherd drove into Lord Mahavira's cars wooden bolts he bore with the pain calmly remembering what he had done in his Poorva Janma (an earlier life).