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DISCOURSES
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tion, you can carry it out in this religious centre. During night times, Sadhvis should remain indoors. Do not forget that your body is that of a woman". The words of the preceptress did not appeal to the disciple. With dislike and obstinacy, she said, "The path of salvation is only one. Then, why should there be any difference in this matter ? It is not proper to create differences between Sadhus and Sadhvis in respect of conduct, principles of behaviour and limits of propriety. If a Sadhvi also can destroy her Karmas and attain Moksha why should not a Sadhvi also behave like a Sadhu ? "A Sadhvi cannot remain alone; a Sadhvi should not stay out of a shelter-house during night times,” I do not like these restrictions”.
FEAR AND TEMPTATION; OBSTACLES TO ATTAINMENT
Hearing the words of the Sadhvi calmly, the Preceptress said, "Oh, ascetic! If you have faith in and devotion for the Paramatma, you should not entertain such thoughts. If you think, forthwith, seriously and deeply, you will surely realize that those principles and rules that have been described and prescribed are proper; are always right. Even Sadhus should not stay in cemeteries and vacant and desolate houses during night times unless they have acquired an absolute control over fear and temptation. You must realize that the propensities of fear and temptation are of deep significance. These two propensities may impede spiritual endeavours. Why does man slip and slide on the path of spiritual endeavours? It is on account of fear or temptation."
The words spoken by the preceptress to her disciple were of great importance. Anyone who wants to adore and pursue the path of salvation; and to carry out some spiritual endeavour, must achieve complete victory over fear and must be completely free from fear. Those great men who go to the cemetery in the night to perform meditation would have achieved a victory over fear. They would have become fearless. The way to attain a victory over fear is described in the Dharmagranthas. There, the authors have described the gradual steps by which we can become fearless.
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