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Rays of Dharma
the society. White it does not involve much labor, it extends a lot of benefits without raising any clash. Labor is a physical phenomenon, while clash is a mental one. They need not be associated with each other. Putting in less labor at present and getting more benefits later is generally acceptable to nature. If, however, there is a craving for getting undue benefits, it is deemed as exploitation.
Jainism terms those undertaking spiritual pursuit as Kshamäshraman. The term is made up of two words, viz. Kshamä meaning forgiving and Shraman meaning one who puts in effort. One who bears pain for internal purification, for purifying the mind, is therefore Kshamäshraman. Effort is inevitable, without it there is no charm in life. One who has put in effort for preparing the food, finds it tasteful. It is also true that he, who has appetite, finds the food tasty, and appetite arises after putting in enough effort.
One whose belly remains full, does not have the concept of hunger. He might talk about it, but that would stay at superficial level, because he does not have the experience of being hungry. This also applies to the monetary aspect. One who has earned by working hard, would not waste it; he would use his earning appropriately. He may economize in other aspects, but would not mind spending for wholesome purposes.
Poverty does not denote loss of wealth; those who do not have the moral considerations, are really poor. Poverty is thus a mental phenomenon. Loss of wealth is not the consideration; one should not be mentally poor. A poet has therefore prayed, 'Santoshathi jivan gujare etalun tun mane äpaje; ghar ghar garibi chhe, chhatän pan dil amiri räkhaje'. It means: 'please give me enough to carry out the life with contentment; let there be poverty, but keep my spirit peer-like'.
The author of our book therefore asks to undertake the activity that does not involve much clash and yet yields more benefit. Clash here stands for worries, anxiety etc. Activities need to be undertaken with mental pleasure. When the mind is not at rest, one feels worried. Jainism calls it Ärt dhyän and stipulates that after taking a vow to
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