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DISCOURSE 21
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horror. She was overwhelmed by the Sadhvi's influence and personal magnetism. She said, “I have buried an idol of the Paramatma, in this dung-heap".
The Sadhvi said, "You have committed a great sin. Take the idol from there at once and place it where it was formerly. You have committed this terrible sin! Do you know what anguish you have to suffer on account of this sin ?" The Sadhvi spoke with anger and compassion to make her realize the seriousness of her sin. The attendant narrated the entire story to the Sadhvi. Then, she took the idol and went into the city. The Sadhvi also was going to the same city; and she too went into the city. The attendant narrated to Queen Kanakodari all that had happened. On hearing what the attendant said, Kanakodari realized her blunder. She asked her to replace the idol in the temple; and then going to the Sadhvi, she also sought atonement for her sinful action; and carried out the atonement. But since she had committed such a sin against the idol of the Paramatma blinded by jealousy, on account of the effect of the sin, she in her next life as Anjana, had to suffer separation from her husband for 22 years; and suffer anguish on account of a stain on her chastity. Though she was innocent, she was accused of being disloyal to her husband.
IT IS NECESSARY TO KNOW THE PHILOSOPHY OF KARMAS
Do you know what Karmas you acquire by means of certain propensities, by uttering certain things and by entertaining certain thoughts, and what sorrows arise on account of the effect of some Karmas; and what enjoyments appear on account of other Karmas? You can discard improper and prohibited propensities only if you acquire a knowledge of the philosophy of Karmas. Only if you have that knowledge, can you discard sinful words and thoughts. At least, understand this point that it is only by the effect of sinful Karmas that you get sorrows. The effect of sinful actions appears when you get sorrows, in whatever Janma you might have committed sins. But by committing sins, you are bound by sinful Karmas. The jiva commits sins by mind, word and body; and on-ačeount of
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