Awakening

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 85

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One man who is grateful to his benefactors inspires ten men to be charitable and benevolent. But, on the contrary, one ungrateful man prevents the emergence of a hundred benefactors.
Only a man who knows himself and the nature of his soul can show the quality of gratitude. God's mercy, the mentor's percepts and righteous conduct are essential for the realization of the self.
The serene, radiant brightness that appears on account of God's mercy, teacher's precepts and righteous conduct spreads everywhere; shines out in all directions; produces peace everywhere, spreads happiness everywhere and causes the rain of love to pourdown. If you ask a man who is running, what his destination is and if the man is silent or if he says that he does not know, you will consider him a fool, but are we not also fools? We are surely living, but we do not know the aim of life. Even an insect flies from leaf to leaf with some purpose, but man who is a highly developed being with wonderful mental powers does not know the purpose of life! What a wonderful thing this is!
Only when the aim is determined, progress can be made in the right direction. A Shraman (one who endeavours to attain spiritual objectives) strives to achieve his own spiritual welfare. But the ordinary Jiva i.e., the ordinary man who takes delight in pudgala (worldly