Rays of Dharma

Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

Page 94

Universal Compassion
out the violence involved in medications, silk, musk, leather goods etc. and stop using them. It is worth mentioning the scriptural tale of Atimukta Muni in this connection.
He was initiated into monkhood in his childhood. While he was once going from one place to another, along with his Guru and other monks, they came to a tree and decided to take rest there. After taking the food, while other monks went to sleep, Atimukta went out and came to a pond. Being a child he did not know all intricacies of the monastic code and began to play in water. As he saw a piece of wood, he put it in water and fancied that he was sailing a ship in the ocean. While he was absorbed in the game, a monk came there and told him that the fish in the pond were getting distressed by his play. No sooner did he learn about the violence involved in his play, than he gave it up. He deeply repented for playing in water and remained so remorseful that his Karmas were consumed and he attained omniscience at that young age.
Repentance is a function of the mind, that leads to internal purification. The external activity becomes irrelevant. Though it is not possible to physically measure its depth, it can be experienced within. What we read, listen and contemplate should lead to the purification of mind, so that our affection and compassion are extended to every living being in the universe and there remains no scope for indulging in violence to them. Non-violence and compassion are two sides of the same coin; one cannot exist in the absence of the other.