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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
175
If we help others and give joy to others, they too will reciprocate. Sant Tulsidās says that Paropkar or helping others is the greatest dharma (duty). He also says, “There is no dharma which is equal to benevolence and no adharma (unrighteousness) which is equal to causing harm to others."
Only those who are benevloent are alive and the others who are not benevolent are as good as being dead. आत्मार्थ जीव लोकेऽस्मिन्
At a stafa Haa: 1 परं परोपकारार्थम्
nafa #stafa 11
-सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागारम् Atmārthaí Jiv lokesmin
Ko na Jivati mānavaḥ Param paropakārārtham Yo jivati sa jivati
-Subhashitaratnabhandāgāram “Who does not live in this world for his own sake? (That means all live to satisfy their selfish desires). But only those people really live who live for the good of others."
Even grass is better than those who are not benevolent. A poet says, “Even grass is better than a person who is not helpful to others because grass is food to cattle and a symbol to be used by cowards in a battle field.” If while fighting in a battle field, a soldeir loses his courage and confidence, he puts a few blades of grass into his mouth and escapes. The soldier's idea is “I am like your cow. Do not kill me.” Realising this meaning of the symbol, the Victorious warrior pardons him and sends him away.
When an animal dies, its skin is used to make shoes. So, even after its death, an animal helps others. If a man does not help others, while he is alive, he is worse than an animal. It is said in Sharngadharapaddhati, "We
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