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Sugandha: Sweet Fragrance
Finally, here are some of the "drips of ambrosia", words full of wisdom, vigour, clarity and affection, uttered in spontaneous fashion by Sadhvi Pramukha. Each one is a veritable maxim:88
"A truly affectionate attitude is the first step on the ladder of successful community life." (8)
"It is the atman which conveys to the other shore of the ocean of existence, which is why the atman is truly the guru, the ätman is truly the Lord." (12)
"Fear is at the root of sin." (22)
"Simplicity of heart and spirit fashions the beauty of life." (23) "Receive every circumstance with a smile." (38) "Change effected with discernment is called Life; stability devoid of discernment is called ossified tradition." (44) "Śraddhā, faith, is ambrosia; śraddha is heaven; in the pursuit of samyama, śraddha is the breath of life." (74)89
"To recognise one's faults in simplicity of heart, this is the most perfect form of prayaścitta." (83)
629
"At the same time as you study from books, learn also to mould your life; otherwise knowledge will itself become a burden to you." (89)
"Wherever you find yourself, do your utmost to make the place pleasant."(92)
"If you want to harvest fruit, you must first water the seed." (101)
88 This section of the biography gives 101 maxims noted by the sadhvis during the course of personal conversations or teaching-sessions. They are not classified according to themes. The nos given here correspond to those in the book.
89 Samyama must be understood here in the broader sense, viz. the the dharma to be followed in its totality.
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