Page 57 - Courage Redifined

of religion, then won’t I become a betrayer of religion!
Helping sadharmikas is religion. Spending money for
this cause is my duty. If I do not perform my duty
won’t I become disloyal ?” Do the minds of wealthy
Jain merchants think in this way on seeing the unpleasant
state of Sadharmikas ? No. Therefore you cannot make
this a universal law that the mind gets disturbed due to
an unpleasant occurring.

Q. : Can’t we say that our mind gets disturbed when something
unpleasant occurs with us ?
A. : No. You cannot make this also as a rule. For eg. our
mind does not get disturbed when our loving wife or
dear son spill a jar of ghee. On the contrary, we console
them by saying, “Do not worry. Nothing is lost. Such a
mishap can happen by me also. What is the big deal ?”
Here, does the mind of the speaker seem upset ?

Q. : Isn't this because the wife and son are more dear then
ghee ? The loss of ghee caused by them doesn't seem to
be of any importance as compared to the affection and
care of the family. Hence his mind does not get upset.

A. : Yes. But it means that we can conclude that the mind does
not get disturbed on the loss of some object. In reality,
if we have a precious thing with us, then our mind does
not get disturbed when a thing of lesser importance or
value gets spoiled.

Sita had overflowing affection and respect for Ramchandraji
and hence when Ramchandraji accepted forest exile and they
had to forsake all palatial comforts and luxuries, her mind did
not get disturbed. Her calculation was such, “Whom have I
married ? Definitely not the palace, jewelry, servants, clothes
and food. I have married Rama and there is no problem in my

Keep the Mind Undisturbed... 47