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Bhagawan Mahavir ]
[ 259
ing of revenge was latent in our heart and, manifested itself when it found an opportunity for manifestation. Many great men, even the noblest, support this form of revenge directly or indirectly, and the reason of all this is want of forbear
ance.
We must remember that the feeling of animosity troubles us not only in this life, but it pains us even in the next world. A man, who cherishes this feeling at the time of his death, has to pass through various kinds of low births where he suffers all sorts of unbearable torture for untold ages. Forbearance is the only means which can save him from all these troubles by putting an and to his feelings of animosity and revenge.
Lord Mahavira could propagate his principle of universal love among the cruelest of worldly creatures on the strength of his own ideal forbearance, and he could pass the remaining days of his life in peace and happiness, only due to it. We, too, can make our lives happy and peaceful by acting according to his accepted principles of forbearance in our life. He never treated anger with anger, nor did he ever think ill of him who abused him or hurt him in any way. Ilis words and deeds showed to the world that the fearful fire of anger can be extinguished only by the cold water of forbearance, and never by anger or revenge which act like ghee (fat) enflame it still more fiercely.
If the cruel oppressors or evil-doers change their nature, if they become kind and peaceful as soon as they come under the influence of such a forgiving man there is nothing wonderful. On the contrary, it would be really very surprising if such great souls are unable to change their nature,
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