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THE WAY OF LIFE
with the tears of compassion. The great Sanskrit poet, Dhanpal has described this event in the invocatory verse, in his grantha, Tilakamanjari in such a moving manner that when we read it our eyes well up with tears.
"May the eyes of Mahavir filled with compassion protect us. Mahavir showed compassion to the god who was returning to his abode after having earned a terrible sinful Karma.”
Question : Such compassion can rain only from the eyes of Bhagwan Mahavir but how can we common people show such compassion ?
DEVELOP THE EMOTION OF COMPASSION IN YOUR HEART
Maharajashri : If not this kind of compassion what other kind of compassion can you have ? Well, you cannot show such compassion now but at least do you like to show such compassion? You may not have this emotion of compassion in your hearts towards those who harm you, "Poor fellow, enslaved by passions what a serious type of sinful karma has he committed! What has happened to him ?" At present, you do not possess this emotion of compassion but do you not desire that such a compassion should arise in your heart? It is not impossible that such a lofty compassion can arise in your hearts. If you desire it strongly, some day it will appear in your hearts. Just as the people who are poor, hungry, thirsty, ailing and naked having no clothes to wear, are worthy of compassion, even sinners deserve to be treated with compassion. This compassion is felt in the heart. You may not be able to make the man give up his sinful ways. But. "On account of these sins, the poor fellow will suffer great anguish in the future". You can think thus. On account of this kind of thinking your heart grows tender, This is surely dharma.
If at any time you have to prevent somebody from committing sins and if he does not discard his sinful ways on account of your persuasion, some punishment may have to be given to him. Even that is compassion. When parents prevent their
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