________________
Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
105
congregation, who can win the minds and hearts of his own people, others, scholars, jealous people and even unlettered people.” There should be sweetness in the voice of the speaker, if the voice of the speaker is harsh, it keeps away even friends because
अग्निदाहदपि विशिष्टं वाक्यणरूष्यम्
Agnidāhadapi Vishishtam Vākyapārushyam. “A harsh voice burns more than fire can.”
If fire causes a burn injury, it can be bandaged and cured but the injury caused by a voice that is harsh cannot be cured. Santa Tulsidas says, “You may use your sword to attack others because the injury caused l. the sword can be cured but never utter an angry word. Speak, after thinking carefully such words as are sweet to hear and agreeable to others.” Another poet has said that the voice of the speaker becomes cruel on account of arrogance and that, therefore we should discard arrogance and speak in a humble manner. Gentle speech brings peace to the speaker and to the listener, we should cultivate the skill of speaking thus. Skill is essential in performing every activity in life. It is said in the Bhagavad Gitā :
TT: HE Presa 11
Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam “'You must carry out your duties with dexterity.”
The great Russian writer Tolstoy says that the life of
aan is a battle-field. The implication is that man sihotd live his life with as much carefulness as is neCowary to fight on a battle-field. The following example illustrates the truth of this statement.
Those were the days when the British were ruling aver India. A horse belonging to an English Officer had hpen lost. Ordered by the officer, some soldiers were going up and down the roads of the city in search of the horse. They asked if shopkeeper, “Did a horse come this way?”
For Private And Personal Use Only
