________________
CONCERN FOR OTHERS IS REAL INDEX
OF HIGH STATUS
Dt. 12-06-1982
Man's concern for humanity and not the wealth he has chanced to have is the true index of his status in society.
But the tendency among most of us is to fulfil our own wishes even by destroying others if necessary. We should examine if the desires that arise in us are legitimate.
A parable on the subject refers to six friends going through a forest. They were feeling hungry and when they saw a tree with plenty of fruits they came up with diverse proposals. The first suggestion by one of them was to cut the tree from the root. The second pointed out that they were in need of only a few fruits and hence it would suffice if they lopped the main branch. The third felt that it would be better to cut the off-shoot. The fourth was of the view that they could collect the bunches of fruits without cutting the off-shoot. Another commended the idea of satisfying themselves with the ripe fruits which had fallen. The last one said that the better among the fallen fruits would be enough for their purpose.
63
Man is like the first among them, who for temporary gratification, wants to uproot the tree itself without deliberating whether their need justified such drastic action.
In a discourse, Sri Pannays Rajyashvijayji said even if our desires are justifiable, we must find out whether the ways adopted to get them fulfilled are proper. A saintly man will never harm anyone to achieve what he wants.
Jain Shastras mention "Krishna Leshya" a dark patch of light surrounding the eyes of the first man representing the accumulation of 'Karmas'. The least desirous among the group will have a 'Shukla Leshya', a white light suggesting that the 'Karmas' are not many, while he has a number of virtues. Others will have blackish-green, whitish-blue, yellow (like the sun's dazzle) and yellowish-white light similar to that emitted by a lotus. To display concern for other people should be our motto.
Amongst desires and duties, whenever occation arised,
great men have always sacrificed desires.
64
