Bliss

Author(s): Amarmuni
Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra

Page 52

The path to spiritual enhancement
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erupt from such negative tendencies.
There are many such people in this world who do not hesitate to trample over thousands of people to achieve their selfish goals. Their conscience remains unperturbed. What is this power that destroys one's discrimination? Why does man become such a demon?
The question is - can this demon redeem itself? The answer to this question is an obvious 'Yes'. By exercizing control over his desires, man can transform the demon within. He is then truly considered a saint. Such astonishing incidents exist in history.
There are many who shed the blood of their own kin and later become devotees to redeem themselves and regain lost respect. Kūņika did the same. After committing numerous sins, he turned to Lord Mahāvīra for redemption. In fact, it is said that he would not drink even a sip of water until he got news of his master's well being everyday.
Witness this scene. Thousands have gathered to hear the discourse of Lord Mahāvīra. Kūņika aspires to end his life before the Lord so that he may go to heaven. “May my devotion cleanse my sins”, he prays ardently.
Yes, sins can be cleansed with devotion that is pure, but devotion does not reside along with a desire for fame and external gratification.
So it came to be that Kūņika asked, "Lord, where will I go after my death?"
Mahāvīra answered, “Instead of asking this of me, ask yourself and hear the answer from within. The one who can answer your query resides within you. You have been given the knowledge about heaven and hell. Now ask your inner self where you will go next?"
One who sows wheat will reap only wheat, it cannot be that his harvest will reap millets instead. This is the law of nature. There has never been an exception to this rule, never any change. And through the passage of time, this truth will remain