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It cannot suppress any of the above. Does this slavery pinch
the soul ?

Temporary materialistic pleasures, temporary happiness from
negative feelings like anger and pride which are followed by
misery and a long birth-cycle in future is this soul’s slavery.

Ravana prioritized his pride and what did he achieve in
return ? He had overcome his craving for Sita but inspite
of that, his pride took him right upto 4th hell. Imagine the
harmful repercussions of pride !
Moral – Stay Alert !

The above incident teaches us to reduce our attachment
towards worldly pleasures. We should leave some, reduce
some and take vows to limit the remaining, because these
pleasures prove to be a danger for the soul. Similarly anger,
pride, deceit, hatred, jealousy, etc. are all dangerous. Hence,
the mind has to be alert always –

‘I have attained the great Jinshasan which is like a doctor for
the disease like negative feelings and cravings. This Jinshasan
doctor provides the medicine of (1) 4 types of religion –
charity, character, penance and good feelings, (2) Non-violence,
renounciation, penance (3) 10 great virtues of forgiveness,
celibacy, honesty, etc. Using these powerful medicines, why
can’t we uproot these diseases ? Infact we are continually
adding fuel to these diseases by way of implementing the
forbidden. Isn’t this our foolishness and stupidity ?

We have fortunately attained this glorious Jinshasana and holy
Jain religion. In this precious Jinshasana and human birth,
if we do not work towards the betterment of the soul and
thereby eliminate our diseases in which other birth will we
be able to do so ? If I do not utilize Jinshasana, then what
is the point of gaining it. This should be our daily worry.
6. Soul – A Slave ? 33