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DISCOURSE 41
admire Shripal and Mayana when we recognise such a lofty kind of gratitude in them.
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From the Audience: Now-a-days, we do not come across the virtue of gratitude anywhere. Nobody is prepared to remember with gratitude the benefactions of others, and that too our children.... do not show such gratitude to us.
ENHANCE THE ESTEEM FOR VIRTUES BY EULOGIZING THEM
Maharajashri: In this matter, only children are not at fault. Have you at any time praised the virtues of noble people in the presence of the members of your family? Have you enhanced the esteem for the quality of gratitude by praising it? Have you at any time admired and adored your parents in the presence of your children? Have you at any time said this in the presence of your children, glorifying the virtues of your parents? "O mother, I have not done anything to return your benign benefactions. I can never forget you because you have made me a cultured man". Have you set an example to your children by praising your benefactors thus in their presence ?
Have you praised this virtue when you saw it in noble and cultured people of your society or city? Enhance the esteem for virtues by eulogizing them and the people of the world also would esteem those virtues. If in the place of that ancient Shripal, there were to appear a modern Shripal, would he consider Mayanasundari as a benefactress? No. He of course, would say easily, "What for did she bestow this benefaction upon me? She of course, wanted to save her religion from being derided. If I am cured of my disease by the efficacy of Dharma that would bring praise and glory to Dharma. That is why she has cured me of my disease. She loves her Dharma more than loving me. I appeared in her life by chance". He would speak such foolish things. The man who does not possess exalted virtues will not be prepared to extol the benefaction received by him from his benefactors. The virtue of gratitude found in noble people will not be recognised by such a man. Even if he recognises it, he would not praise it; on the contrary, he would deride it.
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