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THE WAY OF LIFE
described by the Buddha or Shri Krishna, it is dharma, if it is carried out in conformity with the prescribed principles. Whether it is described by Mahavir or Pathanjali, it is dharma, if it is carried out according to the prescribed rules. What is required is that it must be carried out in accordance with indisputable principles; according to scriptural sanctions and with the lofty emotions of amity, love, compassion and neutrality. The observance of an austerity and the heart of the person who carries out the austerity must be characterised by the qualities of amity, etc. which give them life and colour like new-born leaves. If a man's heart has the feeling of enmity instead of amity; envy instead of love at the sight of others' happiness; contempt or cruelty instead of compassion; partiality instead of neutrality; and abhorrence instead of the noble emotion of neutrality, then the austerity that he performs cannot be called dharma even if it is according to the prescriptions of the enlightened people and even if it is alfaaz (as prescribed in the scriptures).
IF YOU SEE YOU WILL THINK
Scrutinize your inner self. Look into yourself and see what grained spots of sin lurk there! What feelings fill your heart ? Enmity, hostility, jealousy, unkindness, contempt, scorn etc. abound in your heart; is that not so? If you look into yourself, these things will be evident to you. If you see, you will begin to think and ponder. You do not look into yourself and when that is so how can you ponder over those things. "This feeling is wicked; I should discard it. This emotion is lofty. I will retain it." Do you ever think thus ? If you see a heap of rubbish in your house, you would think, "This heap of rubbish must be cast away". If you find your clothes unclean and dirty, you would think, “These clothes must be washed.” If a man sees something he will think about it. If he does not see it how can he think about it? But the great misfortune is that man does not look into himself. Externally, of course, he sees certain things. He can see many things in his house, in the market, in schools, in colleges, in parks and clubs and if these things are not enough, he goes to movies and to the dramatic
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