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THE WAY OF LIFE
for the Paramatma, the devotion for the Gurumaharaj, the regard for the fellow members of one's faith, the help rendered to the destitute, constitute the water by means of which that sinful karma can be washed away.
Let us take the example of a traveller. He is travelling on foot. It is summer. The traveller is greatly tired and thirsty. He does not have drinking water with him. He goes to a river. Even the river is dry. He thinks, "The river has a bed. Therefore, there must be water underground in the river-bed. I have to dig a pit in the river-bed but I am greatly tired. My tire. someness increases if I dig a pit but what shall I do? There is no other way to get water. I will dig a pit. It does not matter if my tiresomeness increases and if my clothes get soiled. When I get water, I can get rid of my tiresomeness by getting water and I can wash my clothes clean." The traveller digs a pit in the river-bed. He gets water. He drinks water to his fill and he takes rest for some time. He also washes his clothes.
This is a symbolic story. You are all travellers in samsar and you are afflicted with physical, mental and inherited ailments. You are weary of wandering through the four gathis or states of existence and you have developed the thirst for punya or merit. You may have to build temples. You may have to get the idols of the Paramatma made and you may have to arrange for the worship of the Paramatma. On account of these actions of yours you may gather some sinful karma because in carrying out these actions you commit Swaroophimsa (unintended violence) but what will you do? You have to carry out those actions but you need not worry over this problem. With the waters of sublime emotions relating to the darshan (seeing) the poojan (worship) and stavana (glorification) of the Lord, you can wash off those sins. The weariness of sins will disappear. Your journey towards moksha will continue.
THE MIND IS THE MAIN CAUSE
You must remember this vital point. The state of your mind and your mental activities constitute the basis for either
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