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DISCOURSE 46
315
There are some popular customs and traditions which are not connected with any religion. All popular customs and traditions are not connected with dharma. Noble people conform to such customs and traditions also. You should act according to those popular customs and traditions which do not involve the sin of violence and which do not comprise condemnable and despicable actions. You should live in such a way that you endear yourself to the people of your society or town. You should not attain popularity by means of unethical methods. You must attain popularity by doing deeds of charity and magnanimity and by rendering help to all. In your endeavour to conform to popular customs and traditions, you must conform to the principle of propriety in your social behaviour and dealings. You must conform to the principle of propriety not only in respect of popular customs and traditions but also in respect of spiritual activities. You must conform to the principle of propriety in your house, in the market, in your city, in the temple and in the Upashraya. In other words, you must conform to the principle of propriety in all places. Noble people are always conscious of propriety; so we can discern propriety in all their actions. Behind this sense of propriety with respect to duties, we can discern, the renunciation of all condemnable propensities. In all their worldly activities, noble people conform to the principle of propriety in respect of duty and they also keep off detestable and condemnable activities. How admirable are the actions and activities of noble people!
When a terrible war took place in Lanka (according to the Jain Ramayana) and when Ravana was slain by Lakshmana, Shri Ram, Lakshman etc. respected and acted according to the customs and traditions of the place. They conformed to those traditions in a very admirable manner. You know that. I sup
pose.
SHRI RAMACHANDRAJI'S CONFORMITY TO POPULAR TRADITIONS
It was the eleventh day of the bleak fortnight of Vaishak. The sun was about to set and Lakshmana slew Ravana.
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