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single stone or pebble touched this extraordinary sage.
Though government permission had been received, Sadhvishri still had to win over the hearts and minds of the local people. It is one thing to construct a building but quite another to 'build up' a man. Sadhvishri's real aim was not only to create concrete structures but also to raise men's consciousness. All her efforts were directed at weaning people off immoral activities and persuading them to take up ethical and worthwhile tasks. Those who were used to stealing and snatching away other people's food and belongings were taught that it is better to earn one's own bread. In this respect they were actually provided with gainful employment. But often such teachings are hard to understand and people did not see their relevance. Not only that, Sadhvishri was seen as an outsider who had to be driven away at all costs, and to achieve this, they played all sorts of dirty tricks on her. One day a group of villagers armed with an assortment of sticks and other makeshift weapons turned up and encircled
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Sadhvishri and her sadhvis. They hurled threats and insults. They tried to provoke a reaction but Sadhvishri remained a model of patience and tolerance. She signalled for the other sadhvis to remain quiet and the 'war of words' remained a one-sided battle. The very lack of opposition seemed to infuriate the villagers even more. It appeared that at any moment blows from the sticks being brandished by them would fall on the heads of these defenceless women. But the tranquillity of the sadhvis was so powerful and their faces so filled. with compassion that the attackers slowly lost sight of their purpose and began to doubt their actions. Their spirits tamed, they became calm and peaceful. It was as if Sadhvishri had absorbed the burning flames of their anger and turned it into sweetness.
"Oh my beloved brother villagers", she said, "sit down with me. I have been wanting to meet you and I am obliged that you have come to me yourselves. Tirthankar Mahavir has left a message that I would like to pass on to you. It is a short message, but an important one. It is about friendliness, about
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