Book Title: Essence and Spirit of Jainism
Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

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Page 22
________________ Just as the dry bed of a lake is crisscrossed with a myriad crack because it is devoid of fresh water, similarly a religion that is not sweetened with the milk of human kindness is soon weakened by the cracks of internal dissensions. Mere austerity may shrivel up a man's nature. Even as he does penance and practises renunciation, his heart must be full of love. What supports this wide world ? Surely not the much-trumpeted deeds of the blustering heroes but the silent sacrifice of the humble servers of humanity-little deeds of amity as the one you will hear abovt presently. A young Brahmin trudging along the way was startled by a scream of terror. A Harijan girl-an outcaste-was bitten by a cobra. Failing to get anything to check the venom from spreading through the blood stream. he snapped the holy thread with his penknife, tied it tightly round the foot and saved her life. Acry of sacrilege was raised by the orthodox. Could anything be more sacrilegious than the holy thread being tied around the foot of an untouchable ? 17

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