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Bhagwan Mahavira while explaining the true nature of the soul said:
"The nature of the soul is like that of a hollow gourd; it keeps afloat. But when this hollow gourd is filled with clay, then, even though its inherent capacity is to keep afloat, it will sink.
Similarly, a soul polluted with violence, falsehood, dishonesty, intemperance, anger, pride, hypocrisy and greed becomes heavy; inspite its original nature of being able to keep afloat, it sinks to the bottom.
When the gourd is free from the clay, it will gradually recover its natural tendency to keep afloat. So, too the soul. Were it to get rid of the eight vices by acquiring eight corresponding virtues: non-violence, truth, honesty, temperance, forgiveness, modesty, sincerity and generosity, it would unburden itself and regain its natural virtues of lightness and volatility.”
Having explained the four pillars of the Jain philosophy, I shall now go back to the prayer in which I have asked our conduct to be guided by Amity, Appreciation, Compassion and Equanimity.
Amity: By Amity we mean attainment of a mentality which wants to be friendly with and bear goodwill towards one and all.
Just as the dry bed of a lake is criss-crossed with a myriad of cracks, because it is devoid of fresh water, similarly a religion that is not sweetened with the milk of human kindness is soon weakened by the cracks of internal dissensions.
Mere austerity may shrivel 'up a man's nature.
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