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THE WAY OF LIFE
speaking harsh and unpleasant words to others? Is it not your purpose to reform them? What is the use of speaking harsh words if you feel that the persons concerned do not reform themselves; and that it might aggravate their attitude? But there is another point.
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STOP THINKING ABOUT OTHERS; TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
It is a good thing to think of reforming others but you cannot tolerate their impoliteness, arrogance and indiscipline; so you utter harsh words. Your intolerance impels you to use harsh words. Hatred awakens on account of intolerance. You cannot tolerate the improper behaviour of those who are under your care and protection. Even after you give them proper advice, guidance and precepts, they do not reform themselves. In that case you cannot bear with them. Is it not true? "I am taking care of you. I will protect you throughout your life. You must obey my words". This thought is there in your mind, is it not so? It is this kind of egocentric thinking that inspires in you attachments and hatred and to act under their compulsion.
You are attached to those who accept and act according to your words and hate those who disobey or defy your words. Attachments and hatred thus keep appearing in your heart every day and every hour. You consider yourselves unhappy and you experience agony in your mind. Why should you do so? You should not think about the others when it is of no use. It will only destroy your peace of mind.
In his work Shantasudharas, the author, Upadyay Vinayvijayji has said:
" निष्फलया किं परजनतप्त्या कुरुषे निजसुखलोंपं रे ।
""
"Why do you spoil your happiness by thinking of others when it is of no use?" But, it has become a habit with people to think of others. Thinking of others; gett;ing entangled in attachments and hatred; committing sinful Karmas and being bound by them; keeping endlessly wandering in the ruinous
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