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44
The flame of avarice
world today is trapped in that very darkness. Yes, it is true that man has claimed stake even on electric power with which the world has been illuminated, but that light is just external. The inner self is wrapped in complete darkness. Spellbound by external glitter, man has given up all attempts to dispel that inner darkness. By listening to the discourses of great saints he has no doubt found the way to that inner light. But alas! His lack of sādhanā has not allowed that light to brighten his dark world.
Many great kings and emperors made efforts to establish peace, but did not succeed. Man has reached great heights in the world of science, he has built aeroplanes, rockets, even atom bombs, but peace has always deluded him.
When explosives were invented in Europe, people assumed that fear of mass destruction would avert wars. Later, when tanks and jet planes were invented, the same hope was rekindled. Subsequently, every destructive invention was justified with the same empty reassurances of peace. But in reality, today we are in the midst of wars that are bigger and far more destructive than ever before.
Earlier battles were fair in as much as they involved only soldiers on both sides, but now there is no value for civilian life too! Weapons in the past had limited powers, today there is no limit. A small bomb is activated and many lives meet their end. So, where is the end to war?
Newer endeavours are made to destroy the world at large. In many countries, wars have become a way of life where, before one battle is resolved, the dark clouds of another loom large on the horizon. Before one battle ends, preparations for another begin. Violence perpetrates vengeance.
And so it is that today man has the power to destroy the whole of mankind. And in his vanity, he believes that war and subjugation are the means to achieving world peace. I ask you, is this the way to find peace? No, never! But such is the situation today the world over.
A cloth stained with blood cannot be cleaned with blood. It
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