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JAIN RAMAYAN
derness. His body was emanciated and his clothes were soiled. For a few moments, Sodas stood still and silent fixing his eyes on the great muni and what a miracle? Like a piece of iron attracted by a magnet he was attracted by the muni. Slowly he went near him. Noticing the arrival of a stranger the animals of the forest stood around the muni. The sudden commotion disturbed the muni's meditation. He completed his meditation and looked at Sodas with overflowing love and affection. Sodas said in a humble manner....
"Oh great muni! The sight of your face has filled me with boundless serenity and felicity. Kindly teach me the secrets of dharma".
The great muni kept looking at him for a few moments. He with his probing eyes visualized a dormant and latent potentiality in his heart. Of course, outwardly he did not seem to be worthy of being taught spiritual doctrines but seers and sadhus do not determine the worth of a person on the basis of his external appearance. On the contrary, with their spiritual vision they visualize the innate spiritual potentialities of a person.
"Dear child! Our first and foremost duty is to preach the secrets of dharma to those who desire spiritual knowledge".
"In that case kindly teach me the secrets of dharma, oh Gurudev !"
"All right, noble man, I will".
After that the great muni spread a cloth on the ground and sat upon it. Sodas sat near him with a bowed head. Cuckoos began singing on the branches of the peepal tree.
"You must treat other jivas as you treat yourself. This is dharma. You should not cause sorrow, agitation or violence to other jivas by word, thought or action".
"Oh lord, I have a doubt".
"Tell me what your doubt is. I will clear it. We practise the principles of dharma in order to attain peace and felicity. Is that not so ?"
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