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(274) : Nandanavana
even the Cāņdālas and other people of lower casts I have redeemed the downtrodden women. They are also leading the path of the ascetics."
"I have experienced that the people show a peculiar attitude even by listening about the spiritual path. They have assumed that dwelling in forest alone is the spiritual path. They have presumed the austerities as the form of physical mortification. Both these points are taken as paths of running away from the world. But this is not correct. The spiritualistic path is the path of the heroes. Only internally brave men could adopt it. The individual man becomes universal through this path of optimism. He sets an example for the betterment of all. I have trodden such a path of universal goodness. That is why, I am called "Great Hero" (Mahāvīra) of course, and not all people are brave to tread on this path. However, whosoever moves on to this path, he becomes saviours of the worries of the weary world. They are called Great Heroes.) I wish all should become such 'Great Heroes.'
"I have taught you about good and heroic-conduct. How your neighbour, village and you yourself can be happy? I have told you those practices and propensities, which lead to happiness. These practices are the true austerity and spiritual path. It is your activities, which reflect your person. The affection, sympathy and conscientious conduct are the enrichment of a person. Hence, the spiritual practices, austerities and incantational repetitions are the ways through which the world may become happy. They are the materialised forms of the propensity of "Let all be happy" The concept of practices preceded by knowledge is our guide. All people are makers of their own destiny and progress.
The religious principles propounded by me are not purely individual. They are individual-based social once. It is why, I do not pray for my own welfare, but I pray for the welfare of all the people to promote universal brotherhood among them.
Let all the public enjoy spiritual (and physical) welfare. Let the king of the land be religious and powerful. Let there always be rains in time. Let there never be any diseases in all the land. Let there never be any famine, terrorism and thefts.
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