________________
Bhagawan Mahavir ]
[ 453
but a place for action. I feel that the human life is obtained after a long struggle lasting for many briths and is specially meant for clearing the account with the Karmas. I think it is a sheer inistake on the part of man not to destroy his Karmas by means of practising penances, and not to realize his self by worshpping Truth, but to waste his precious life in tasting the passion of sensual pleausres. It is foolish to boil Khala ( the cake which remains after oil has been pressed out) in a pot made of emerald by burning sandal wood as fuel for it; but it is even more foolish to indulge in sensual pleasures day and night after getting the human body.
What is the use of measureless wealth to a man.? What is the use if he is made an emperor of an empire on which the sun does not set ? Again what is the use if he conquers all his enemies throughout the world ? He may support and please his family, his relatives and his friends with his wealth, but what of that ? Similarly, what is the use if he lives for the period of many Palyopama ? I think, all the power, strength, knowledge, wealth and learning of a man are useless, if he cannot kindle in his heart the celestial light of self-realization by means of practising austere penances. Without self-realization wealth is like poison; ornaments are like a burden; wisdom is like madness; and this life is even worse than that of the worms and insects. I must, therefore, act in such a way that I might get rid of all masters over me.”
Fortunately, Lord Mahavira was staying in the same city in those days. Shali Bhadra went to see him, and when the Lord imparted instruction to him, he felt anxious to
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
