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THE WAY OF LIFE
sadhu are very distant goals. But becoming a noble person is of great importance ? Without attaining nobility, a man cannot become a Shravak; without attaining nobility a man cannot become a Sadhu. Yes. Now-a-days, we come across many Shravaks, who do not possess nobility. We also come across Sadhus, who do not possess nobility. On account of the absence of nobility in society people honour and revere Sadhus and Shravaks. Therefore, it is easy for people to become Shravaks and Sadhus.
From the Audience: When a man becomes a Sadhu, he will naturally, become noble; does not he ?
Maharajashri : Without nobility, how can a man become a Sadhu ? Can a man become noble just became he puts on the guise of a Sadhu ? If a man becomes a Sadhu, without nobility, in such a sadhu only ignobility will increase. Because you are not partial to nobility, you are partial to sadhus and shravaks. You are not concerned with Sadhutha and nobility. If a Sadhu does not possess the essential qualities of a Sadhu but if he is an impressive orator; if he is a Tapasvi (one who performs spiritual austerities) that is enough for you and you would admire him. A Shravak may not possess the essential qualities of a Jain but if he is a wealthy man or a powerful man that is enough for you. You would adore him. Would you not?
A man cannot become a Dharmik (a man of Dharma) and an Adhyathmik (a man of spiritual excellence) without nobility, without culture and without a partiality for culture. How can one be a human being without humanity ? How can one be a human being without a love for humanity and without a partiality for humanity. But now-a-days, it is only the men that lack humanity that are honoured by society. People are considered to be noble, though they do not possess nobility. Some are considered to be Sadhus, though they do not possess the essential qualities of a Sadhu. How difficult it is to live in this world and to attain culture and nobility ? Yet there is no objective that cannot be attained with a firm determination. "I can become a noble and cultured man. I must attain culture”. With this determination, you begin admiring and adoring the lofty actions of noble people.
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