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THE WAY OF LIFE
happiness cannot think of others' happiness. Such people destroy others' happiness for their happiness. They cause sorrow to others. Madanrekha could have remained in the palace after getting Manirath imprisoned but that noble lady did not do so. She voluntarily left the palace and went away into the forest. What extraordinary greatness in a woman of this mundane world! She had no enmity against any jiva and she had no contempt for anyone. All her mind was occupied in a firm determination to safeguard her chastity. Can you entertain such thoughts? You are supposed to be devotees with knowledge. Do you not develop a feeling of enmity against those who cause harm to you? Do you not treat with hatred and contempt those that ruin your happiness? The quality of amity is a necessity in the heart of a person who wants to perform a spiritual austerity.
From the Audience: Why is it that our hearts are not thus inclined towards amity? What should we do to acquire that quality ?
Maharajashri : I understand your words this way. You do not like to have impure hearts; you like to purify and chasten your hearts, but they are not becoming pure. Am I right? You have not been successful in chastening your impure hearts. Is this not true ?
From the Audience : The truth is, until today, we have not even attempted to purify our hearts. Now, we have to attempt
it.
PUNYAKARMA (MERIT) ARISES FROM A PURE HEART
Maharajashri : You can chasten your hearts. Make a determination to purify your thoughts. If you should attain purity, you have to cast away all impurities. Cast away such impurities as hatred for jivas and attachment for inert objects. The habit of hating jivas and loving inert objects has been there for countless ages in the soul, therefore, ordinary efforts won't be effective. Very strong and determined efforts have to be made and the efforts have to be made by the mind. We
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