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PRABUDDHA JIVAN
MARCH 2013
how evil or selfish 2. The solution: a. In choosing our own nature we must choose human
nature for all humanity. In order to act freely, we must not let our action be determined by any of our particular desires or interests. We must act as any free agent would act, hence we must act as we
would like other people to act. b. In order to be free ourselves, we must desire the
freedom of other people. To treat another person merely as an object for my use is to make an object
of myself. To be free I must respect the freedom of
others. c. Even though my actions are free, they are not
completely arbitrary. Just as the artist, while free to create, follows the constraints imposed by her medium, so our actions, while not governed by rules,
are constrained by the choices we and others have made.
RESHMA JAIN
The Narrators Mobile: 9820427444
PRIDE AS A HINDRANCE
A Story From Aagam Katha
ACHARYA VATSALYADEEPJI . English Translation : PUSHPA PARIKH
Chakravarti Bharat and Bahubali the two sons of the reason?' Bhagwan Rishabhdev were very clever and best war- Rishabhdev told the two sadhvijis to go and tell riors of the kingdom. Once they were in a fighting Bahubali: mood. While they were fighting all of a sudden a great "Veera mora gaj thaki hetha utro! and good idea struck in Bahubali's mind and the hand gaj chadye Keval na hoy re!' that he raised to kill Bharat his brother-was used for (Borther please deride the elephant, while riding keshloch (plucking the hairs). Then he started towards elephant you don't get kevalgyan). Both the Sadhvijis the jungle-forest.
followed what Rishabhdev wanted to convey Bahubali. Chakravarti Bharat wathcing him uttered with tears They immediately started for the forest. After reachin his eyes, 'The true victory is achieved by Bahubali ing the forest they were astonished to see their brother only. I salute him; I bow down to him.
Bahubali sorrounded by the creepers, aimals and ants Bahubali became saint.
but unperturbed. Bahubali while going to Ashtapada to greet Sadhvijis were happy also to see their brother so Bhagwan Rishabhdev seemed to be puzzled. He knew much deeply angrossed in the meditation. As the two that his younger brothers had become saints. He did sadhvijis could guess well the message sent by not wish to bow down to his brothers who were also Rishabhdev immediately uttered the couplet told by accompaning their father. He was proud of being el- Rishabhdev and within no time Bahubali came out of der than the two brothers. So he postponed going to his meditation and recognised the voice of his sisters. Ashtapada and started meditation which will be help- He was thinking about the message conveyed by his ful to him in achieving Keval Gyan (the divine knowl- sisters. What was the meaning of derididng the eledge). It is said and believed that one who achieves ephant? He immediately realised that he was still proud Keval Gyan does not have to bow down to anybody. of being older than his brothers and was not ready to With this idea in his mind he started his meditation. bow down to his brothers. The sisters were telling me He was so much engrossed in his meditation that he to be humble and polite. They were right. Those who was unaffected at all by all the movements around abandon everything are great and worth respecting. him in the forest.
He also realised that he should not be proud of being Sadhviji Shreshtha and Brahmi asked Rishabhdev, older and immediately started for Ashtapad. On the May we know the reason why our elder brother way only he achieved keval Gyan. Bahubali has not achieved keval Gyan even after The gods also recited the heavenly music. spending a long period in meditation? what could be
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