________________
Chapter Universal Compassion
The scriptural tenets differ from religion to religion. The tenet of compassion is, however, common to all of them. A garland can have different colors of beads, but the thread passing through them is one. Similarly compassion is the common binding factor of all religions. Everyone is imbibed with some degree of compassion. In some people it is manifest, while in others it remains concealed.
It is said, 'Daya dharmakä mool hai' (Compassion is the basis of religion). The basis of compassion lies in empathetic spirit that human beings are imbibed with. When one realizes that he does not like misery and tries to avert it, the idea would occur in his mind that he should also not become instrumental in causing misery to others. This is comparable to a musical instrument in which touching one strand leads to thrilling sensations in other strands. If it occurs to you to call a person shameless, the empathy within would ask you to consider how you would feel, if someone called you shameless. Your plan to call the person shameless will evaporate. Compassion for self (Swadayä) thus leads to compassion for others (Pardayä).
When one restricts his approach to Swadayä, he is likely to remain selfish: If he is a trader, he would try to sell his goods at maximum rates, but if someone comes to him to sell an article, he would assess its vale at a lower rate. In personal life also, he retains the same spirit.
91
