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Sugandha: Sweet Fragrance
doctrine, his party, his province, all of this being a form of avarice and greed. She directs her hearers' attention towards the eternal riches: faith, right conduct, the study of the Scriptures, study in general, detachment, compassion, broad-mindedness.59
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What is the purpose of the aṇuvratas? To help one reach immortality. The subject is developed at length with the help of concrete examples and specific directions for attaining the goal in everyday life. When dealing with tapas, she stresses first and foremost its inner expression. 60
During this time of câturmāsya several festivals take place, notably that which celebrates Independence and that of the paryuṣaṇā. On the anniversary of Independence, Mahāsati asks whether people are aware that the political independence acquired a year ago should carry with it an acute sense of the accompanying responsibilities, courage to act, to make changes, to bring about reforms? Have people grasped all the implications of this freedom? Should they not resolutely confront and tackle all the social, religious and educational problems? She strongly condemns the spirit of casteism, its inhuman rigidity, the affront to human dignity and human rights that this system involves. She then reminds her hearers what personal independence and liberty really
mean.
This series of thirty pravacanas was intended to prepare the śrāvakas and śrāvikās for spiritual renewal on the occasion of the feast of samvatsari, the first day of the Jaina new year. By way of follow-up, the next series treats of various subjects, such as:
The dharma and Science.
The dharma and society.
Jaina culture and Buddhist culture.
The dharma for today.
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20
On the path of progress.
The goal of life.
607
59 Ibid., chs. 13-16.
60 Ibid., chs. 22-26; 29.
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