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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
91
extravagance, True benevolence lies in extending help to those who need it.
Benevolence impels a man to shed tears of compassion even for an offender. "Blessed are the eyes of Lord Mahāvira which shed tears of compassion for the offender called Sangama, who was causing endless difficulties, and impediments.” Here, the Lord shed tears not because of the difficulties caused to him by the offender but because he was deeply grieved to think that the offender would suffer a spiritual disaster; that he would be condemned to hell wiiere he would have to experience endless torture and misery. Behind his tears, there lay the feelings of kindness, kindliness, affection and benevolence.
A man who is benevolent is by nature a benefactor who extends his benefactions with a spontaneous magnanimity.
Bartrihari says this while describing the cause for the benevolence of a benefactor.
उत्पादिता स्वयमियं यदि तत्तनुजा तातेन वा यदि तदा भगिनी खलु श्रीः । यद्यन्य संगमवती च तदा परस्त्री तत्यागबद्धमनसः सुधियो भवन्ति ॥ Utpadita Swayamiyam Yadi Tattanujā Tatena va yadi tada Bhagini khalu Shrih Yadyanya Sangamavati cha tada parastrī
Tatyāgabaddamanasah Sudhiyo Bhavanti. “If we produce wealth, (Lakshmi)-the Goddess of Wealth by our own efforts, she is our daughter. If wealth (Laksmi) was produced by our father that is if we have inherited wealth from our father, she (wealth) is our sister. If wealth belongs to others she is a parasthri (a woman belonging to another man). Therefore, sensible people always think of renouncing wealth."
Benevolent people do not wait until the needy persons ask for help. They voluntarily help them. If they come to know that someone is in need of help, they hasten to help them.
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