________________
The endless panorama of mankind's suffering and selfinflicted pain, as well as the countless ways in which animals were tortured and killed, stretched out before his inner vision. The aeons of generations it would take for all to evolve and be lifted out from their ignorance and indifference moved him deeply Tears sprang forth from his depths, and he prayed that this feeling never run dry.
In his diary, he wrote, “Even as a man practices penance and renunciation, his heart must be ever full of the milk of human kindness; else it will shrivel."
For him, the pain of others was real. He would never permit callousness or neglect to cover over this genuine feeling of karuņă, compassion.
Finally, he realized madhyestha, equanimity, to be the queen of these four virtues. He wanted to remain in balance at all times, throughout all confrontations, tests, and trials.
Here is the greatest lesson to leam, for without equanimity, I cannot be of help to anyone.
*
As he sat by a brook meditating, all of these thoughts came as wordless realizations to him. He tasted the real meaning of each of them.
Now his own words flew from his heart. He uttered them aloud. Without composing a poem, a poem was composed. Without formulating a tune, a melody emerged. It poured into expression as he took up the pen and diary he always carried with him.
He jotted down the words to what became “The Immortal
Song.
‘Maitri bhāvanu pavitra jharaņu muja haiyāmā vahyā kare suba thāo a sakala visvanu evi bhāvanā nitya rahe' May the sacred stream of amity flow forever in my heart, may the universe prosper such is my cherished desire.
205
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
