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254 / JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
THOUGHT ON THE GREAT BIRTHDAY
APJ Abdul Kalam
Conscience is the light of the Soul that burns within the chambers of our psychological heart. It is as real as life is. It raises the voice in protest whenever anything is thought of or done contrary to the righteousness.
Conscience is a form of truth that has been transferred through our genetic stock in the form of knowledge of our own acts and feelings as right or wrong.
Conscience is also a great ledger where our offences are booked and registered. It is a terrible witness. It threatens, promises, rewards and punishes, keeping all under its control. If the conscience stings once, it is an admonition, if twice, it is condemnation.
Cowardice asks, "Is it safe?" Greed asks, "Is there any gain in it?" Vanity asks, "Can I become great?" Lust asks, "Is there pleasure in it?" But conscience asks, "Is it right?" Why have we become deaf to its voice, insensitive to its pricks and callous to its criticism?
The answer is corruption.
Corruption is an assault on consciousness. The habit of taking bribes and seeking favours has become very common. People holding important positions have developed inconsiderateness to their conscience. They pretend everything is all right. Do not have they the idea of the law of action and reaction? Have they forgotten how impressions of the subconscious mind and its force work? If you take bribes, your thoughts and actions are registered in the subconscious mind. Will you not be carrying forward your dishonesty to your next generations causing them great suffering? It is a painful reality that corruption has become a way of life affecting all aspects of living, personal as well as social. It is not merely the pecuniary corruption but other forms as well. Immoral ways of people holding high positions and handling power have taken away guilt out of the minds of lesser mortals. What a dangerous situation!? A great civilization is endangered.
A virtuous man alone can use the instrument of conscience. He alone can hear the inner voice of the soul clearly. In a wicked man this faculty is dead. The sensitive nature of his conscience has been destroyed by sin or
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