________________
204
THE WAY OF LIFE
had become firmly established; just as his mind and heart were totally devoid of fear, hatred and sorrow; just as his mind was pure and peaceful, Pathamini also was fearless and pure. The spiritual austerity will be fear according to spiritual prescriptions when you are totally free from sorrow, fear and hatred. Why do you not perform your spiritual activity in the manner prescribed by the enlightened people? While performing spiritual activities, you should not be agitated by fears or hatred or sorrow. Pathamini inspired fearlessness in Queen Lilavathi. She inspired her to discard her hatred and anguish, because she wanted her to adore Shri Navakar Mantra in such a manner that its efficacy might manifest itself soon.
HOW CAN WE MAKE OTHERS ADORE DHARMA ?
If Pathamini wanted to do this, she could have told Lilayathi mechanically, “You must perform the Japa or recitation of the Navakar Mantra, if the stain sticking to your name should be removed. If you earn merit, your stain will disappear. If there is any sin committed by you, you have to experience its consequence. It is my duty to tell you this and I have told you all this. If you like, you may go there and recite the Navakar Mantra”. If Pathamini had given this kind of advice to Lilavathi, would she perform the austerity with faith and concentration?
This is a point to be thoroughly understood. Merely by means of delivering soulless sermons, we cannot make people who are in anguish develop faith in Dharma. First, you must develop amity with them. You must make them fearless, you must make them discard their hatred and you must inspire in them an ardent enthusiasm for Dharma You must give the necessary advice to the people who are in distress. Then, your precepts will easily penetrate and pervade their hearts; and they will attain the ability or capacity to carry out spiritual austerities ( feat ) in accordance with the scriptural prescriptions.
How did Mayana Sundari inspire her husband, Umbar Rana to turn towards Dharma and to adore it? How did she impel him to perform the worship of Shri Siddhachakraji in the man
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
