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DISCOURSE 17
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children from pursuing improper ways, they have to punish their children; that is nothing but compassion. Outwardly, it may not appear to be compassion but it is compassion felt in the heart. "If we do not prevent this young man from pursuing his evil ways, his whole life will be ruined and the human life that he has attained will be wasted”. Impelled by this thought parents may even punish their children and that is nothing but compassion. It was only for this reason that Madanrekha who was a Sadhvi went to the battle-field to prevent her sons from fighting against each other. The Sadhvi's heart was pained to think of the terrible voilence and slaying of people that would take place in the war. "By committing this sin of killing people and causing violence to jivas, my children will ruin themselves spiritually and the human life they have attained will be wasted". This was not a thought impelled by attachment but a lofty feeling of compassion for those who were about to court a spiritual disaster by committing violence.
EVEN TRUE AND RIGHT IDEAS ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY ALL
King Namiraj did not pay heed to the words of his mother who was a Sadhvi. "Whatever may happen I will fight this war and secure my elephant", and he made known to the Sadhviji his firm determination. There is no rule that all should accept even well-meant words and advice. There is no rule that a son should accept the advice of his mother, a Sadhvi, though the advice is right and sensible. When a man's heart is callous and when it lacks tenderness even true and right words do not appeal to it. Such a man will not accept the advice though right and sensible, given by a person for whom he may not have friendship or devotion or in whom he may not have faith. In this world, a majority of people are such that they do not care for right and sound words of advice and suggestion. The ideas that are considered noble, true and sound by people who are enlightened, noble or saintly are not liked by people who are ignorant or ignoble. They do not feel that those ideas are true. Sometimes, this thought arises in our minds, "What an excellent piece of advice is this that I am
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