Shrutsagar 2016 01 Volume 02 08

Author(s): Hiren K Doshi
Publisher: Acharya Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir Koba

Page 9

Beyond Doubt
Acharya Padmasagarsuri The Priest was quite embarassed by his mean behaviour. An advocate of America asked Swamiji to show him the soul, if it ever existed. Swamiji, took a needle and poked it on the palm of the person. When the person reacted to this act of Swamiji by saying that he experienced acute pain, Swami Vivekananda then asked him to show him the pain he experienced. The advocate then replied that the pain is not a thing which can be shown or seen by anyone. It is only a subject of feeling and experience. To this Swamiji said “As you cannot show me the pain you experience. So also Atman (Brahma, Jiva or soul) cannot be shown. But can only be experienced” You cannot see your reflection in water if it is covered with lichen and marsh. If the lantern is covered with smoke, it cannot spread its light around. In the same way if the mind is under the influence of sense pleasures and passions, one cannot experience the bliss and infinite power of the soul. And the mind can become pure and seren
actice. i.e. Sadhana and devotion.
As the advocate was enlightened by Swami Vivekananda, 2500 years ago Indrabhuti Gautama too was enlightened by the Lord's grace and was able to experience infinite cognition and bliss The train is big in size and mighty in speed. An accident takes place if the driver is not careful and if the bridge ahead of the train is broken. Averse to the mighty train a tiny ant, aware of the danger ahead protects itself. This potential and awareness in the ant is the power of the soul.
To prove the existence of the soul, the dog also is a good example. If you are kind to the pet and give him roti and biscuits, he remains faithful to you and wags his tail on seeing you. But if you do not give him his share of food he even goes to the extent of stealing them from your kitchen. He will also not be able to show his face to you, for the pet too is capable of being guilty of his deeds. The dog who barks loudly and protects his master from all kinds of mishappenings turns so weak. Even the animal is aware of its misdeeds, feels guilty and is
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