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DISCOURSE 17
have happened, but if she had thought so, her heart would have been callous. There would be no compassion in such a case. In a heart that is devoid of compassion. Sadhutha (spiritual nobility) cannot really exist.
THE STATUS OF A TIRTANKAR CAN BE ATTAINED ONLY BY MEANS OF COMPASSION
Do you know that compassion is the mother of Sadhuta (spiritual excellence)? If there is compassion, there is Sadhuta; but it cannot exist in the absence of compassion. Not only that; compassion is the mother of the state of a Tirtankar. The Tirtankarnam Karma arises in your soul when you see with your spiritual eyes the sorrowful condition of the countless beings in the universe and when you contemplate on their condition with heartfelt compassion. We shall discuss this point later. Today, I want you to understand the efficacy of heartfelt compassion. Just as we have to show compassion to those in distress, and those who are in poverty and adversity, we should be compassionate even towards those who are prosperous, who are healthy and who are living in comfort and luxury, though they commit sins.
From the Audience:
who are prosperous and young commit sins.
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Now-a-days, we find that only those
Maharajashri: What kind of feeling do you experience with respect to such people? What kind of thoughts do you get with respect to such people? Do you entertain thoughts of hatred or compassion? Such a thing is seen only in those in whom Papanubandhi punya (the merit that makes people commit sins) has arisen. Those who are wealthy, beautiful or handsome; powerful in a word, those who are happy in the materialistic sense commit more sins. They have the means to commit sins. Now-a-days, we see in people more of Papanubandhipunya or the merit that makes them commit sins. As long as you do not have in your possession, the means to commit sins, you are safe. If the Papanubandhi merit arises in you, you too would not come to us to hear our discourses. You will give up visiting the temple.
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