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DISCOURSE 14
should know the impure form of jivas. In the same manner, we should also know the form polluted by Karmas. Madanrekha explained this idea and so her heart was pure. A pure heart does not allow sins to bind the soul. If allows only merit (punya) to bind the soul. Even auspicious Karmas bind the soul. The soul becomes perfect and well-developed on account of punyakarma brought about by a pure heart.
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DISCARD YOUR ATTACHMENT FOR INERT OBJECTS
If you at anytime get this thought, "This has caused me harm. This has caused me sorrow. On account of this, I have incurred a loss." At once, change your thinking. "No, this has not done me harm. Difficulties have arisen in my life on account of my own sinful Karmas. If sinful Karmas do not arise in me, no adversity can come to me. This poor thing has become the cause or I must have done some harm to it in my previous life. I must have caused some sorrow to it; otherwise, it would not have been the cause for my sorrow". This kind of thinking will keep you free from hating others. Keep entertaining such thoughts and emotions as Anithya Bhavana (the feeling that this life is transitory); Ashuchi Bhavana (the feeling that the body is unclean).
The attachment for inert objects brings about many sorrows and adversities. What fascinated Manirath? He was fascinated by an inert object. What was Madanrekha's beauty? Her beauty was made of inert pudgals (substances). The body and all that is connected with the body are made of inert pudgals.
In order to reduce your attachment for inert objects you understand and realise that whatever is made up of pudgals is subject to change and mutation. The substance keeps changing its form. What looks beautiful today becomes ugly and hideous tomorrow. The inert object which tastes sweet to-day becomes bitter tomorrow. Inert objects do not have permanence.
"My soul is more valuable than inert pudgals. For the sake of the inert body, I should not lose the conscious and imperishable soul. On account of the attachment for inert and perishable objects, the soul which is imperishable becomes bound in
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