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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
9. BENEVOLENCE
DEAR BENEVOLENT PEOPLE!
Benevolence abides in broad-mindedness but miserliness abides in narrow-mindedness.
अयं निजः परो वेति
__ गणना लधुचेतसाम् । उदारचरितानां तु
ageta meta 4. 1 Ayam Nijaḥ Paro Veti
Ganana Laghuchetasan Udaracharitānañ tu
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. “Narrow-minded people think, "This is mine-this is another's.' But those who are benevolent by nature deem the whole world as their family."
Look at a tree. It gives shelter to animals and birds. It provides shelter and shadow to weary travellers. Even to those who throw stones at it, it extends benevolence by giving them fruits.
Thiruvalluvar has said, “The prosperity of benevolent people is like the prosperity of a tree bearing fruits
the middle of a village." Just as all people in the village can ear without any impediment the fruits of a tree, all people can enjoy the prosperity of a benevolent one without any impediment.
True benevolence does not lie in giving away one's wealth thoughtlessly. It lies in giving away one's wealth in charity to those who deserve help. Extravagant expenditure is not benevolence. Benevolence is different from
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