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THE WAY OF LIFE
austerities. The Gurudev praised all his disciples and complimented them but he bestowed greater praise on Sthulabhadra. How could the others tolerate it? One muni (Sadhu) had come there after spending four months at the entrace of a lion's cave. Jealousy raged in him. On hearing Sthulabhadra praised by the Gurudev, he began to burn with jealousy. He thought, "The Gurudev praised Sthulabhadra heartily because he happens to be the son of the Chief Minister. What great austerities has he performed ? He stayed in the house of a dancer eating excellent food every day. He saw her dances and enjoyed himself thus for four months. What is that impossible austerity he has performed ? Yet, the Gurudev praised him heartily. How many arduous austerities have I performed ? Yet, I have not been favoured by such praise. What may be in this ? I too will spend my next Chaturmas in Kosha's house. Then, let me see whether the Gurudev praises me or not".
That Sadhu could remain at the entrance of a lion's cave for four months. He used to fast for four months continuously also but he could not bear to hear other munis praised. The emotion of love had not cleansed his heart. His heart was impure with a raging feeling of jealousy. In the Jain dharma the austerities performed by such a man have no value. Such austerities cannot bring moksha. Even the most arduous kind of Tapas will be useless and ineffectual if the person concerned cannot love virtues in others and if he cannot experience love at the sight of the happiness of others. Even those who perform tremendous tapas fall and fail to achieve their objectives if they are jealous. The Sadhu became jealous of Sthulabhadra. The fire of jealousy burnt away whatever merit he had attained. His mental peace was destroyed. A single idea dominated his mind, "I will spend my next Chaturmas in the house of that dancer. Then, let me see whether the Gurudev praises me in the same manner or not. What great attainment is it to spend the rainy season in the house of a dancer ? I am not in any way inferior to Sthulabbhadra”.
Some people feel greatly happy when they hear themselves praised. Jealous people do not like other people being praised more than themselves. They desire this, "Only we must
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