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DISCOURSE 90
235
Maharajashri : Yes. Surely, it will bring those benefits. You do not know the extraordinary efficacy of the partiality for virtues. The partiality for virtues is more efficacious than the gem called Chintamani. I hope you know the efficacy of Chintamani.
From the Audience: We know it but that gem is not available.
Maharajashri : How can you find it? You can secure a precious object of that kind only by virtue of punyakarma. If people are born with a sublime kind of punyakarma, they can attain the gem called Chintamani. Well, do not worry if you do not have punyakarma. I will give you a gem which is more efficacious than Chintamani and that gem is partiality for virtues. Will you take it? If you desire it, you take it. Become a lover of virtues, if you want to brighten your future. You may not have virtues but you begin admiring and respecting men of virtues. If you see in anyone the virtues of courtesy, respectfulness, magnanimity, firmness or the virtue of agreeable speech, praise him. Admire him whole-heartedly. If you think that it is not proper to admire him in his presence, admire him in the presence of others when circumstances warrant such an action on your part. Learn to live for some lofty cultural traditions.
All of you must have heard of Rabindranath Tagore. The incident that I am going to describe took place in the life of his father Maharshi Devendranath Tagore. If you read this story you will understand the meaning of courtesy. Dwarkanath Tagore, the father of Devendranath Tagore was a famous merchant and Zamindar in Calcutta. He was an able man. He formed a trust with the wealth he had inherited from his ancestors.
Dwarkanath passed away. His business concern incurred a loss of thirty lakh rupees. The manager of the concern who was an Englishman sent for the creditors and said to them, “Our business concern has incurred a loss of thirty lakh rupees. Our debts amount to one crore rupees and our assets amount to
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