Page 34 - Courage Redifined

fall on deaf ears. How can they show their desired result
and change our hearts ? Hence, we need to realize that if we
want to follow our Lord’s teachings, change our hearts and
implement them in our life, then we should devote ourselves
in the service of Jinshasan* and eventually strive to cut down
our enslavement by beauty, touch and taste. We should be
alert at all times that, “My sight should not get attracted
to look at inappropriate or unnecessary things. I should not
glance here and there without reason. I should not stare at any
other woman’s body. My vision should not rest on someone’s
wealth and property or else it will spoil my mind.”

Why shouldn’t we look at other’s wealth and assets ?

If you look at someone’s brand new BMW or a huge
bungalow, what thoughts will cross your mind ? Either you
will become a victim of jealousy or you will be consumed by
unnecessary delight. You may think, “How lucky he is and how
unfortunate am I! ” That means you will consider a luxurious
car, bungalow, etc. to be the ultimate source of happiness. You
will not think that, “Arre! This great instrument is destroying
my spiritual welfare. These are only elements which nourish
the soul’s diseases of ego, pride and attachment.” How many
people will think on these lines ? Probably 5 out of 100.
Majority of the people today have drowned in the huge ocean
of material pleasures. Before Kumarpal become the king, he
was running to escape from the clutches of Siddharaj. He
witnessed a peculiar event at one place. On the bank of a river,
in a small temple, the idol that was worshipped was only a
head without the remaining body. Hence, he asked someone,
“Why is only this head worshipped in this temple ?” The
person told him a small story to clear his doubt.

* Jinshasan - The Jain religious order established by the Almighty
Tirthankara Lords.
24 Courage Redefined