World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 727

the future of a state. He will realize that these values and laws are rich sources of healthy guidelines on the pathway to perfection. For this vigourous reason the code of law aims at the perfect maintainance of the values or human goals viz., Dharma, Artha , Kama. The Mukti, as already noted above, is given to the care of a seperate branch, technically known as Darsans. Hence, the Trivarga i.e. the first three aforesaid points have become the core of Religion. Thus, a man in the world thinks of initiating himself to the practices of Religion, because it covers a bright exposition of both worldly objects and the power beyond them. For these human values one need not resort to a specific Religion. Every religion has these values as its core. Hence, these common features of all religions constitute as universal religion of which every man is a member knowingly or unknowingly.
There are good few features found common in all religions but a small group of ten is considered to be the most acceptable one. They are as follows -
धृतिः क्षमा दयाऽस्तेयं शौचं दानं च निग्रहः । श्रद्धा च सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्म संग्रहः ।।
There cannot be any religion in the world which does not welcome with open arms these vital points of good character. These essentials of Universal Religion endorse the highness of magnimous character. These points seem to be very simple and easy going, but they are very hard to practice in our fast running life. Great religious thinkers parade their brilliance to bring them to the doors of common people.
The first virtue is courage. It is required at every step in all walks of our life. That is why a Subhasita insists this with a great deal of emphasis and says " HTTT". More courage is required to perform good things than to do evil things. It is much more required to move fast on the pathway to God, than to move on the worldly ways of life. Anybody can have this quality to lead a successful life.
The second lifely virtue is endurance. This virtue is a vital virtue of sages. A saint or a Muni cannot be so called unless he possesses this quality of patience. It is only on the basis of this quality that the highness of a personage is counted. The followers of Jina, Buddha and Christ give more and more importance to this endurance.
The Ramayana insists the adoption of endurance for, it is a kind of strength to those who are weak; it is grace a point to those who are powerful or strong. It can very well bring the world under its control.
Thus what not is achieved by this forbearance? Certainly it is more powerful than the weapons.
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