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The Wheel of Joy and Sorrow
to his guns. He was adamant and unyielding. Moreover, he could not give a satisfactory explanation to his mother, regarding his strange conduct towards Anjana. He could not explain to her what Anjana's fault was; and why he was angry with her. Whenever his mother questioned him about it, he merely remained silent. He did not also say what he wanted. He did not speak out his mind. He could speak out only if he could prove that Anjana was at fault; but he could not prove it. At least, if he revealed to his mother the doubts and suspicions he had in his mind, those doubts and suspicions could have been removed; and the two could have become reunited but he did not speak out his mind. He remained still and silent like a rock.
And, in this manner, often, man inflicts punishment upon others who are absolutely innocent. He makes innocent people victims of his anger and punishment. Especially if elders on account of being inveigled into some false belief by the insideous words of others, get angry with youngsters without understanding the circumstances, terrible calamities can ensue; and the lives of the innocent youngsters are ruined. Therefore, it is the duty of elders not to be inveigled into false beliefs and not to take any decision or step without fully understanding the circumstances; and they should not also inflict unnecessary punishment on youngsters.
Queen Ketumati went often to Anjana and tried to console She had great affection and love for her; and heartily sympathized with her lot. But what could she say to Anjana ? She never spoke to anyone; she never conversed with anyone jovially; and she never stirred out of her chamber. She began to spend all her time in meditating upon the Arihant Bhagwan and in assimilating his words. She was always immersed in glorifying the Paramatma. In this manner... not one... not two... not three... but twenty two years passed.
her.
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During those twenty two years, Anjana developed a high level of equanimity by virtue of which she could face any adversity with imperturbable serenity. She made a deep study of the doctrines relating to Karmas and their auspicious and inauspicious effects; and thus extended her intellectual horizons.
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